President Biden has pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, reversing his previous stance against offering a pardon.

The decision came just before Hunter faced sentencing hearings for federal gun and tax charges.

In a statement, President Biden asserted that Hunter had been unfairly targeted by the Justice Department, stating, “he has been treated differently” due to his familial connection. He emphasized Hunter’s recovery, noting his son’s sobriety despite ongoing scrutiny.

The broad pardon encompasses potential offenses dating back to 2014, coinciding with Hunter’s involvement with the Ukrainian gas company, Burisma. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre indicated that Biden’s concerns over continued Republican pursuits of Hunter were a factor in the pardon decision.

Avoiding accountability

The pardon drew immediate backlash from Republicans, with Rep. James Comer criticizing the Bidens for avoiding accountability. Some Democrats, including Governor Jared Polis, expressed apprehensions about the implications of such a precedent.

Hunter Biden had recently pleaded guilty to felonies related to tax evasion, including false deductions for personal expenses post-rehabilitation. He accepted responsibility for his past actions, vowing to dedicate his life to aiding others in similar situations.

Despite Biden’s prior declarations against a pardon, the president explained that after making the decision, there was no reason to wait in announcing it, hoping Americans would understand the father’s rationale in this complex situation.