President Biden pardons son Hunter

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - Just weeks before leaving office President Joe Biden issued a pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, Sunday night.

The pardon comes after the president repeatedly said he would not do so.

President Biden said in a statement he's pardoning his son because he believes the charges against Hunter were politically motivated.

The pardon comes just weeks before Hunter was supposed to be sentenced in two federal cases.

Now the president's son will avoid possible prison time for felony gun and tax convictions.

It's a reversal for the president who pledged he would not pardon hunter or commute his sentence.

"I abide by the jury decision. I will do that, and I will not pardon him,” said Biden back in June.

Hunter faced up to 25 years in prison for lying on a federal gun purchase form about his drug addiction.

The White House also emphasized the president would not pardon Hunter.

"We've been asked that question multiple times. Our answer stands, which is no,” said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

The pardon also includes any other offenses Hunter may have committed between January of 2014 and December this year.

In a statement President Biden said quote, "No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter's cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son – and that is wrong."

President-elect Donald Trump posted on Truth Social calling the pardon quote, "...an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!"

President Biden ignored reporters' questions about the pardon as he was departing for Angola on what may be his last foreign trip as president.