Malliotakis Calls for Ongoing Investigation into Hunter Biden Despite Presidential Pardon

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) has called on House Republicans to continue their investigation into Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden’s son, despite the president’s recent decision to grant him a full and unconditional pardon.

Malliotakis emphasized the need for transparency, arguing that the American public deserves to know the full truth about Hunter Biden’s actions.

“Our investigation must continue, I believe, to let the American people know the truth, even if these pardons are taking place,” Malliotakis said during an interview on Thursday. The pardon, announced on Sunday, has sparked bipartisan criticism, with lawmakers questioning its legality and its implications for justice.

When asked by host Elizabeth MacDonald about the constitutionality of the pardon, Malliotakis suggested it should be legally challenged.

“I think that you’ll see members from the Oversight Committee and other committees that have worked so diligently on this try to seek out those arguments,” she said, indicating that legal experts and lawmakers might pursue avenues to overturn the pardon in court.

Hunter Biden’s legal troubles have been at the center of Republican scrutiny for years. In June, he was convicted of three felony counts for lying about his drug use on a firearm application and for illegally possessing the weapon.

Later, in September, he pleaded guilty to nine federal tax charges, including failure to pay taxes on substantial income. Sentencing in both cases was pending when President Biden issued the controversial pardon.

The president defended his decision in a statement released alongside the pardon, arguing that Hunter Biden had been unfairly targeted because of their familial relationship.

“No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter’s cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son — and that is wrong,” President Biden said. The statement marked a significant shift from Biden’s earlier stance; he had repeatedly denied that he would intervene in his son’s legal troubles or consider granting a pardon.

The pardon has drawn widespread condemnation from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Some Democrats have expressed disappointment, viewing the decision as undermining the integrity of the justice system, while Republicans have seized on the issue to bolster their ongoing investigations into the Biden family.

Malliotakis’ remarks underscore the Republican Party’s determination to continue pursuing allegations of corruption and misconduct involving Hunter Biden, even after the pardon.

The House Oversight Committee, which has been leading the inquiry, is expected to examine the legal and ethical implications of the pardon, alongside potential avenues to challenge it.

Critics argue that the pardon undermines accountability and sets a dangerous precedent for presidential power. For Malliotakis and other Republicans, it also raises questions about fairness and transparency. “This isn’t just about Hunter Biden,” she said. “It’s about ensuring that no one is above the law, not even the president’s family.”

As the fallout from the pardon continues, the debate over Hunter Biden’s legal cases and their implications for President Biden’s administration is far from over.