Nobody saw this coming.
Hunter Biden is now publicly distancing himself from some of the most controversial decisions made during his father’s presidency, delivering rare criticism of former President Joe Biden’s handling of both the Afghanistan withdrawal and the ongoing border crisis.
During a recent appearance on The Shawn Ryan Show, Hunter Biden acknowledged that while he believes his father performed well overall, there were major failures that cannot be ignored — especially when it comes to national security and immigration enforcement.
Afghanistan Withdrawal Under Fire
One of the most striking moments of the interview came when Hunter Biden addressed the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. He admitted the operation was badly executed and resulted in tragic consequences, including the deaths of 13 American service members during a suicide bombing at Kabul’s international airport.
Hunter stated that while ending America’s 20-year war may have been the right decision, the way the withdrawal was carried out was deeply flawed. He suggested that the administration could have implemented a safer, more orderly exit that protected both U.S. troops and American interests abroad.
Following the withdrawal, the Taliban quickly regained control of Afghanistan. A later government report revealed that more than $7 billion in U.S. military equipment was left behind and ultimately seized by the Taliban — a development that sparked outrage among veterans, military families, and national security experts.
Hunter Biden conceded that although military leaders were involved in planning the operation, his father understood that ultimate responsibility rests with the president.
Border Policy Criticism
Hunter Biden also addressed immigration, another issue that has dominated political debate in recent years. He acknowledged concerns surrounding illegal immigration and warned that unchecked border crossings place enormous strain on American communities and public resources.
During the Biden administration, the number of illegal immigrants living in the United States reached historic highs, intensifying concerns over border security, housing shortages, healthcare costs, and taxpayer-funded benefits.
Hunter argued that while legal immigration plays an important role in the nation’s economy, allowing large numbers of people to enter the country unlawfully is unfair to American citizens — particularly veterans who are still recovering from decades of overseas conflict.
Election-Year Border Bill Controversy
The president’s son claimed that the administration had reached a tentative agreement with Republicans on a comprehensive border bill, but said the proposal collapsed during the 2024 election season. He accused President Donald Trump of opposing the measure for political reasons.
Supporters of President Trump strongly disputed that claim, arguing the legislation was introduced too late and failed to meaningfully address enforcement. Critics also described the bill as an election-year strategy after years of inaction on border security.
A Rare Admission
What stood out most to many Americans was not the policy debate itself, but the source of the criticism. Even the former president’s own son publicly acknowledged that some of the Biden administration’s most consequential decisions — particularly on Afghanistan and immigration — ended in serious failure.
For voters concerned about national security, border control, and accountability, the interview offered an unusually candid assessment from inside the Biden family.
