President Joe Biden recently pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, clearing him of charges of paying taxes late and incorrectly filling out a gun form. The President went back on previous promises to not use the powers of the president in order to aid his family.

The President said in a statement that pardoning his son was in an effort to stop him from being unfairly prosecuted by his political opposition, despite a public vow that he would never do such a thing. 

“I abide by the jury decision, I will do that and I will not pardon him,” he said in June. 

The President alleged that Hunter Biden was targeted selectively. 

“Hunter was singled out only because he is my son,” he said.

He argued that Hunter Biden’s charges were elevated because of his relationship with the president, and charges like his are rarely actually brought to court to try to convict a felon. 

“People are almost never brought to trial on felony charges solely for how they filled out a gun form,” President Biden wrote.

Hunter Biden had lied on a gun form in 2018, stating that he was not previously addicted to drugs, or using them illegally.

The President also objected to the charges of tax evasion. Hunter Biden had, over the course of several years, neglected to pay taxes in favor of living a “lavish lifestyle,” according to the U.S. Department of Justice. This is mostly in reference to Hunter Biden spending large sums of money on cocaine, before he got sober. Hunter Biden later repaid those taxes. 

“Those who were late paying their taxes because of serious addictions, but paid them back subsequently with interest and penalties, are typically given non-criminal resolutions,” the President purported.

Although Hunter Biden is currently five and a half years sober, the President’s political rivals have frequently used his son as a tool to embarrass him, and diminish his credibility, citing his son’s mistakes and previous choices that created disruptions in his family.

This pardon also encompasses any other crime, or “offenses against the United States,” that Hunter Biden may have committed in a ten year period from 2014 through 2024

“I hope Americans understand why a father and a President would come to this decision,” the President concluded.