U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he had pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, despite previously stating he would not do so.
Hunter Biden, 54, had pleaded guilty to federal tax charges and was found guilty of gun possession and drug-related offenses in two separate trials.
Sentences for these offenses were expected to be announced later in December.
In a statement released by the White House, President Biden explained that while he had committed to not interfering with the Department of Justice’s proceedings, he believed Hunter was treated unfairly.
He claimed the charges were instigated by political opponents in Congress seeking to undermine his presidency.
Biden criticized the way Hunter’s plea deal fell apart in court, attributing the unraveling of the agreement to political pressure from Congress.
“Had the plea deal held, it would have been a fair and reasonable resolution of Hunter’s case,” he said. “It’s clear that Hunter was singled out because he is my son, and that is wrong.”
Despite having previously stated he would not pardon his son, Biden took action, arguing that the case was a politically motivated attack.
The pardon comes just weeks before his presidency ends, with Donald Trump set to take office on January 20.
Former President Trump condemned the decision, calling it a “miscarriage of justice” and a demonstration of unfair treatment towards political opponents.
