Biden grants pardon to son Hunter

WASHINGTON — US President Joe Biden said on Sunday he had pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, a reversal after pledging to stay out of legal proceedings against the younger Biden who pleaded guilty to tax violations and was convicted on firearms-related charges.

"Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter. From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department's decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted," the president said in a statement.

The move is sure to bring about fresh scrutiny over the independence of the US judicial system — especially at a time when incoming president Donald Trump has moved to appoint loyalists to the FBI and Justice Department himself.

The grant of clemency said the president had granted "a full and unconditional" pardon to the younger Biden for any offenses in a window from Jan 1, 2014, to Dec 1, 2024.

Hunter Biden was convicted earlier this year of lying about his drug use when he bought a gun — a felony — and also pleaded guilty in a separate tax evasion trial, but did not face sentencing.

Joe Biden, who is in the final weeks of his presidency before Trump takes office on Jan 20, had repeatedly said he would not pardon his son.

Republicans criticized the president's move.

Trump said in a post on his Truth Social site on Sunday that the pardon was "such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice".

"Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years?" Trump asked, referring to those convicted for storming the US Capitol on Jan 6, 2021, after Trump claimed that he had won the 2020 election.

Representative James Comer, chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, said, "Joe Biden has lied from start to finish about his family's corrupt influence-peddling activities."

Hunter Biden pleaded guilty in a tax evasion trial in September, facing up to 17 years in prison. For the separate gun charge, he was facing 25 years in prison.

His lawyers have said he was only being brought before the court because he is the son of the president.

Agencies via Xinhua