Joe Biden issues presidential pardon for son Hunter in final weeks in White House

The move marks a significant reversal for Joe Biden who repeatedly said he would not use presidential authority to benefit his family members.

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00:00U.S. President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter, sparing him a possible prison sentence

00:07for federal gun and tax convictions and reversing his past promises not to use the powers of

00:13the presidency for the benefit of his family members.

00:17In a statement, Joe Biden said the prosecution of his son was politically motivated and a

00:22miscarriage of justice.

00:25He alleged that no reasonable person could look at the facts of the case without concluding

00:30that Hunter was singled out for being his son.

00:33The Democratic president had previously publicly said he would not pardon his son or commute

00:39his sentence after his convictions in two cases in Delaware and California.

00:44Hunter Biden was convicted of purchasing a gun when prosecutors said he lied on a form

00:49by claiming he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs.

00:53U.S. President-elect Donald Trump called the pardon an abuse and miscarriage of justice.