Mr Biden’s last public comments on whether he would ever pardon his son came at the G7 summit in Italy in June. “I said I abide by the jury decision. I will do that. And I will not pardon him,” the president said, referring to his son’s separate sentence on a federal gun charge.
Those comments came before Mr Biden announced his decision to step out of the presidential race. It may be easier for Mr Biden to pardon his son as the political fallout would likely be diminished given that he is leaving the White House in just a few months.
Biden’s guilty plea came as a shock after a day of legal wrangling which saw him attempt to enter an “Alford” plea, which is when a defendant pleads guilty while also not acknowledging any wrongdoing.
Following objections from prosecutors, Biden’s lawyers indicated that their client was now ready to enter an “open” plea, which is when the defendant pleads guilty to all charges and leaves sentencing to the judge.
The decision came hours after jury selection was supposed to begin in the case accusing him of failing to pay at least $1.4 million (£1.1 million) in taxes.
The president’s son was already facing potential prison time after his June conviction on felony gun charges in a trial that aired unflattering and salacious details about his struggles with a crack cocaine addiction.