US President Joe Biden has issued an official pardon to his son Hunter, who is facing sentencing for two criminal cases.
In a statement, the president said his son had been “criticized” and called his case a “miscarriage of justice.”
He added: “Since the day I took office, I have said that I will not interfere in the decision-making of the Department of Justice, and I have kept my word even as I watched my son be prosecuted selective and unjust”.
Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to tax evasion in early September and was convicted of illegal drug use and gun possession in June – becoming the first child of a sitting president to be convicted.
The full and unconditional pardon came after the president previously announced there would be no clemency for his son.
Just a few months ago, in September, the White House press secretary said that Biden would not pardon his son.
But on Sunday night, President Biden said that while he had confidence in the justice system, “politics influenced the process and led to a miscarriage of justice.”
He added: “once I’ve made this decision this weekend, there’s no sense in delaying it any further.”
“I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President came to this decision,” President Biden said.
In a statement responding, Hunter Biden said the mistakes he made during his darkest days as a drug addict were “exploited to publicly humiliate and shame” his family for personal gain. political sport.
“I will never take for granted the clemency I received today and will dedicate the life I have rebuilt to helping those who are still sick and suffering,” he added.
