When Bill Clinton made some outrageous pardons as he was leaving office (including one of his brother), he got a few days of scolding from the mainstream media and then the story disappeared. So Biden may figure he can survive a few days of make-believe outrage from the MSM. But if he’s forced to resign or drop out of contention for 2024, he can pardon Hunter without consequences.
Hunter will never see the inside of a jail cell and perhaps never even see trial. Biden isn't running and he will pardon Hunter.