U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a full pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, who was facing imminent sentencing for federal tax and gun convictions. The announcement, made on Sunday, December 1, comes as Biden prepares to leave office.

In a statement released by the White House, Biden defended his decision, describing the legal actions against Hunter as politically driven. He stated that his son had been “singled out” and “unfairly prosecuted” due to their family name.

The pardon, which is “full and unconditional,” covers any offenses Hunter Biden “committed or may have committed” between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024. This grant of clemency cannot be overturned by President-elect Donald Trump.

Hunter Biden had been scheduled for sentencing on December 12 for federal gun charges and December 16 for tax evasion, to which he pleaded guilty in September.

Explaining his decision, Biden said, “I believe in the justice system, but I also believe that raw politics has infected this process, resulting in a miscarriage of justice. Once I made this decision, there was no reason to delay further. I hope Americans understand why a father and President would act this way.”

Biden also spoke about his son’s struggles with addiction, noting that Hunter has remained sober for over five years despite enduring intense public scrutiny and attacks. “This has been an effort to break Hunter, and in doing so, they’ve tried to break me. Enough is enough,” the president said.

The pardon marks a significant and controversial conclusion to Hunter Biden’s legal battles, emphasizing the personal and political challenges the Biden family has faced during his presidency.