‘I accepted the President’s words’

California Governor Gavin Newsom said he is “disappointed” that President Biden repeatedly lied that he would not pardon disgraced son Hunter — among the most high-profile Democrats to condemn the widely condemned move. Have become one.

“Given what the President and his family have gone through, I completely understand the instinct to protect Hunter,” Newsom said. told Politico Of Biden, 82, who has lost two of his children.

“But I took the president at his word,” Newsom said of the president’s repeated promises not to interfere in his son’s affairs.

“So by definition, I am disappointed and cannot support the decision,” he said firmly.

The condemnation is especially evident because Newsom has been one of Biden’s most loyal supporters, remain committed Even after his disastrous performance in the debate, Democrats were forced to replace him with Vice President Kamala Harris at the top of the ticket.

Newsom is also one of the most important voices for the Democrats, with many expect him to run For the White House in 2028.

Biden repeatedly vowed publicly not to pardon the 54-year-old first son, who was convicted of federal gun charges in September and federal tax evasion charges earlier this year.

But late Sunday he issued a sweeping pardon that clears Hunter of any illegal conduct during the past decade since he controversially joined the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma.

The president claimed he took the extreme action because he believes Hunter was “selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted” by his own Justice Department because he is the president’s son, an aim aimed at President-elect Donald Trump. Despite repeatedly mocking similar claims of such targeting.

Special Counsel David Weiss on Monday Rejected President Biden’s claims Hunter was targeted and the judge overseeing Hunter’s case argued that charges should not be brought against the first son despite a presidential pardon.