Thanks be to daddy: Still-President Biden pardons his son

Washington - Contrary to previous statements, outgoing US President Joe Biden (81) has now pardoned his son Hunter after all.

US President Joe Biden (81, l.) has pardoned his son Hunter Biden (54, r.) shortly before the end of his term of office. (archive picture)
US President Joe Biden (81, l.) has pardoned his son Hunter Biden (54, r.) shortly before the end of his term of office. (archive picture)  © Susan Walsh/AP/dpa

He had said since taking office that he would not interfere in the decisions of the Department of Justice, according to Biden's statement on the pardon.

However, his son had been treated "unfairly" by the justice system. The charges had only come about after several of his political opponents in Congress had instigated them in order to attack him, Biden wrote in justification.

The 54-year-old son of the president had pleaded guilty in a second trial for various tax offenses following a conviction for violating gun laws. The sentences in both cases were to be announced in December.

Biden had said several times that he would not pardon his son. His term of office ends with the handover of power to President-elect Donald Trump (78) on January 20.

Son in court: Hunter Biden also an issue in the election campaign

As the current US President, Joe Biden has the right to issue a pardon.
As the current US President, Joe Biden has the right to issue a pardon.  © Jose Luis Magana/AP/dpa

Hunter Biden's legal problems had also put a political strain on his father during the election campaign.

Biden had originally planned to run for president again, but dropped out of the race for the White House after a disastrous performance in the TV duel against Trump and left the candidacy to his running mate Kamala Harris (60).

She lost the presidential election very clearly to Trump.