US President Biden pardons son Hunter in bombshell U-turn

WASHINGTON - US President Joe Biden said on Dec 1 he had pardoned his son Hunter Biden, a reversal after pledging to stay out of the legal proceedings against the younger Biden who pleaded guilty to tax violations and was convicted of firearm-related charges.

- REUTERS

"Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter. From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department's decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted," he said in a statement released by the White House.

The White House had said repeatedly that Mr Biden would not pardon or commute the sentences of his son, a recovering drug addict who became a target of Republicans, including US President-elect Donald Trump.

"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," Mr Biden said in a statement released shortly before leaving for a trip to Africa.

The grant of clemency said Mr Biden had granted "a full and unconditional" pardon to Hunter Biden for any offences in a window from Jan 1, 2014, to Dec 1, 2024.

Hunter Biden faced sentencing for false statements and gun convictions on Dec 4.

In September, he pleaded guilty to federal charges of failing to pay US$1.4 million (S$1.9 million) in taxes while spending lavishly on drugs, sex workers and luxury items. He faced sentencing in that case on Dec 16.