Father first, president second: Biden pardons son in controversial move

US President Joe Biden decided to pardon his son, Hunter, who was awaiting sentencing in cases involving tax fraud and illegal firearm possession, after previous assurances that he would not intervene in his son's legal troubles.

Read more: Hunter Biden's pardon play: Banking on father’s presidency

“I have faith in the justice system," Biden defended his decision. "But after grappling with this deeply, I have come to believe that partisan politics corrupted this process, resulting in a miscarriage of justice.”

"No reasonable person who studies the facts of Hunter's case can reach any conclusion other than this: Hunter was targeted solely because he is my son, and that's wrong," describing the matter as a "miscarriage of justice," according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Earlier in June, 54-year-old Hunter Biden was found guilty by a jury in all three of the federal charges facing him.

He was convicted for lying on a firearm application form and his “illegal choices” while addicted to crack cocaine, said the lead prosecutor according to AFP.

Hunter could have been sentenced to up to 25 years in prison pending sentencing by US District Judge Maryellen Noreika.

However, being a first-time offender, he would have been unlikely to receive the maximum penalty.