Biden pardons son Hunter Biden unconditional pardon covers all federal crimes from 2014-2024

President Biden issues a sweeping unconditional pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, covering all federal crimes he "has committed or may have committed or taken part in" from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024, hours after his son's federal tax and gun convictions were affirmed. Biden had repeatedly told the public he would not pardon his son. Biden reverses course, citing what he calls "the raw politics" of politically motivated prosecutions by Trump allies. The pardon provokes sharp criticism from Republicans, legal scholars across the spectrum, and some Democrats. Biden defends it as necessary given plans for retribution by the incoming Trump administration.