Former President Donald Trump’s radio appearance with conservative host Hugh Hewitt on Thursday was filled with familiar talking points about China, trade, and the state of the Republican Party. But one moment stood out from the rest: Trump hinted, for the first time, that he might consider pardoning Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden’s son, if he wins in 2024.

When pressed by Hewitt about whether he would grant clemency to Hunter Biden, who was recently convicted on gun-related charges, Trump was measured in his response. “I wouldn’t take it off the books,” Trump said. “See, unlike Joe Biden, despite what they’ve done to me, where they’ve gone after me so viciously, despite what, and Hunter’s a bad boy. There’s no question about it. He’s been a bad boy. All you had to do is see the laptop from hell. But I happen to think it’s very bad for our country.”

Trump’s remarks about the first son represent a significant shift. Previously, the former president had avoided addressing the question of clemency for his political rival’s son, focusing instead on the broader criticism of the Biden administration. But now, with Hunter Biden’s legal woes front and center, Trump’s willingness to consider a pardon introduces a new twist in an already contentious race.

“I could have gone after Hillary. I could have gotten Hillary Clinton very easily. And when they say lock her up, whenever they said lock her, you know, they’d start, 30,000 people, lock her up, lock her up. What did I do? I always say take it easy, just relax. We’re winning. Take it easy. Take it easy. I could have had her put in jail. And I decided I didn’t want to do that,” said Trump.

Hunter Biden addressed the media on December 13, 2023 explaining that he would not testify behind closed doors to the US Congress.

Hunter Biden’s legal issues have been a central theme of Trump’s campaign rallies and speeches, where he has repeatedly condemned the Department of Justice’s handling of the investigation. But Thursday’s radio comments seemed to show a more pragmatic side of Trump, as he discussed the potential impact of a Hunter Biden prosecution on national unity.

“I thought it would look terrible. You had the wife of the president of the United States going to jail. I thought it would be very bad if we did that. And I made sure that didn’t happen, okay? I thought it would be bad. What I didn’t know is that they were going to play dirty with me. Who thinks that? Who would have…”

Hunter Biden’s legal troubles began surfacing publicly during the 2020 presidential campaign when a federal investigation into his financial dealings became known. Initially focused on potential tax violations, the investigation broadened to examine possible foreign lobbying violations tied to his overseas business relationships, including those in Ukraine and China. In 2023, Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges and admitted to illegal possession of a firearm while being a drug user—charges stemming from a gun purchase in 2018 where he falsely claimed he was not using drugs.

The deal initially proposed by federal prosecutors would have allowed him to avoid jail time if he completed probation, but it fell apart in court, leading to renewed legal battles. House Republicans have since used Hunter’s business dealings to fuel accusations of corruption against President Joe Biden, alleging that Hunter’s influence-peddling benefited his father. The case has been a focal point for GOP lawmakers, who argue that the Department of Justice has given the younger Biden preferential treatment.

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