A recently surfaced video of Hunter Biden appearing confident while being questioned about a potential pardon has sparked speculation about when President Biden decided to pardon his son. The president had consistently stated throughout the year that he wouldn't pardon Hunter or interfere with the judicial process. However, Hunter maintained a self-assured attitude despite facing a potential 17-year prison sentence.

The 30-second video, obtained by Fox News Digital, shows Hunter Biden smiling and walking away from reporters outside a Malibu restaurant on July 31, 2024, after being asked if he anticipated a pardon. He was accompanied by actor Sean Penn. This was shortly after his conviction on three felony firearm charges and before his guilty plea to tax evasion.

In the video, a man asks Hunter how he's holding up, to which he replies, "Great, man." When pressed about a possible pardon, Hunter offers a smile but no verbal response, as a woman, possibly a Secret Service agent, intervenes. He maintains his silence and smile as he enters a vehicle.

On June 11, a Delaware federal court convicted Hunter Biden on three felony counts related to illegally purchasing a firearm while struggling with drug addiction. He later pleaded guilty to three felonies and two misdemeanors for failing to pay over $1.4 million in taxes between 2016 and 2019.

Following the June conviction, President Biden explicitly denied any plans to pardon his son. He reiterated this stance during the G7 Summit, stating he would respect the jury's decision. However, on a Sunday night, the president issued a full and unconditional pardon to Hunter for these and any other offenses committed between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024. The president justified the pardon by claiming Hunter was unfairly targeted and that political motivations led to a miscarriage of justice. He asserted that the charges were instigated by his political opponents. Hunter Biden's sentencing had been scheduled for December 16.