Biden faces criticism after pardoning his son Hunter
United States President Joe Biden's decision to pardon his son Hunter for tax and firearm-related convictions has sparked criticism from lawmakers and officials, including some within Democratic Party.
The Biden administration on Monday (Dec. 2) defended the announcement, which the president made despite his previous pledge not to pardon his son, on the grounds that Hunter's persecution was political in nature.
"They (Republicans) would continue to go after his son," White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said on a flight to Angola on Air Force One, adding that other presidents have also pardoned family members.
The act of pardoning by the President of the United States has historical precedent. Towards the end of his first presidential term, Trump granted pardons to several political allies and supporters, among them Charles Kushner, a disgraced real estate tycoon and the father of Trump's son-in-law, Jared.
During the final day of his presidency, Bill Clinton issued a pardon to his half-brother, Roger, who had served a one-year prison sentence after pleading guilty in 1985 to selling cocaine to an undercover officer in Arkansas. This pardon aimed to expunge his criminal record.
Biden's decision has raised accusations of leveraging power to protect a family member from legal consequences and applying a double standard of justice for individuals with political affiliations, potentially staining his reputation.
Hunter Biden faced a potential 17-year imprisonment for tax offenses and up to 25 years for gun-related charges, though federal sentencing guidelines were likely to lead to a lesser sentence. His sentencing in both cases was scheduled for this month.
Throughout his father's presidency, Hunter Biden faced persistent scrutiny regarding his international business engagements, with concerns arising about whether he exploited his father's position for personal profit.
(With input from Al Jazeera)
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