The unexpected decision comes just weeks before President Biden hands over power to Donald Trump, drawing sharp criticism from political opponents

In a dramatic and unexpected move, President Joe Biden announced on Sunday night that he was issuing a full and unconditional pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, following a series of legal battles. The pardon covers charges related to tax evasion and the illegal purchase of a firearm, crimes that Hunter Biden committed or may have committed between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024.

Biden’s decision, which contradicts previous statements in which he said he would not intervene in his son’s legal matters, has sparked both praise and backlash. The president argued that Hunter’s legal troubles were politically motivated and aimed at undermining his administration. In a statement, President Biden said, “The charges in his cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election. No reasonable person can look at these facts and conclude anything other than that Hunter was targeted solely because he is my son.”

The announcement came after a weekend spent with the Biden family in Nantucket, with the president reflecting on the toll the ongoing legal battles had taken on both his son and himself. He added, “There has been an effort to break Hunter – who has been five and a half years sober, even in the face of relentless attacks and selective prosecution. Enough is enough.”

While the decision is a significant moment in Biden’s presidency, it also marks a dramatic shift from his previous stance on political interference in legal matters. During the 2020 election, Biden made clear that the integrity of the justice system must remain independent from political influence, particularly when discussing the former president, Donald Trump. However, in his statement on Sunday, Biden argued that the justice system had been compromised by raw politics, ultimately leading to what he described as a miscarriage of justice.

This move comes as former President Trump, now President-elect, is intensifying his rhetoric, with a focus on retaliation and retribution. Trump, who has long made Hunter Biden’s legal issues a focal point of his attacks, wasted no time condemning the pardon. In a social media post, Trump called the decision a “miscarriage of justice,” drawing attention to the January 6, 2021, Capitol rioters as a potential group for pardoning should he return to office.

Senator Chuck Grassley, a prominent Republican critic of the Biden family, expressed his disbelief, saying on social media, “I’m shocked that President Biden would break his word and pardon his son. Shame on me for believing him.” Other conservative voices quickly followed suit, accusing Biden of hypocrisy and politicising the pardon process.

Despite the criticism, the move was welcomed by Hunter Biden, who has faced intense public scrutiny over the past several years. In his own statement, he admitted to his past mistakes during a period of addiction, acknowledging the toll it had taken on him and his family. He expressed gratitude for the pardon, pledging to continue his work helping others struggling with addiction. “I will never take the clemency I’ve been given today for granted,” he said. “I will devote my life to helping those who are still sick and suffering.”

The timing of the pardon is also significant. It comes just weeks before President Biden is set to hand over the presidency to Donald Trump, who is expected to take office in January. With tensions between the two men at an all-time high, Biden’s decision has added fuel to the fire, raising questions about how the incoming administration will handle the fallout from this controversial move.

As the news spreads, both supporters and detractors continue to debate the implications of the pardon. While some see it as a necessary act of parental protection, others view it as an abuse of presidential power. One thing is clear: the political and legal drama surrounding the Biden family is far from over.