'Abuse of Justice': Trump on Biden pardoning son

Outgoing US President Joe Biden on Dec 1 issued a controversial pardon to his son Hunter Biden convicted on charges related to gun crimes and tax violations.

Responding to the unexpected development, President-elect Donald Trump called it an “abuse and miscarriage of Justice.”

"Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice," he said in a post on Truth Social.

The pardon protects Hunter Biden, who was due to be sentenced later this month on two different criminal cases, from any sentencing for these offenses while removing the possibility of jail time.

President-elect Donald Trump cannot revoke the official grant of clemency after he takes over the President's office.

The J6 hostages referred to people jailed for their involvement in the January 6, 2021 riots on Capitol Hill. Trump and his supporters call those who are imprisoned as hostages, claiming they were acting peacefully and patriotically.

Trump is likely to issue a pardon for those imprisoned for their role in the siege of Capitol Hill after he takes over as President.

"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," a statement by President Bdien read.

Without aggravating factors like use in a crime, multiple purchases, or buying a weapon as a straw purchaser, people are almost never brought to trial on felony charges solely for how they filled out a gun form. 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. It is clear that Hunter was treated differently," it further added.

President Biden addressed the charges against his son, saying that he believes that his son had been “selectively and unfairly prosecuted.”

He maintained that the charges were politically motivated and that his son was being targeted because of his relationship with him.

Notably, Biden and the White House had consistently stated that there were no plans to pardon 54-year-old Hunter Biden.

Biden had publically promised before and after he dropped out of the 2024 presidential race, that he would not pardon his son.