President Joe Biden pardons his son Hunter

President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter on Sunday night, reversing his long-held stance of not wielding his executive authority to intervene in the legal troubles of his family members.

Hunter faced sentencing on December 12 and December 16 on federal gun charges and tax evasion charges, respectively. These could have led to a combined prison sentence of up to 42 years, though actual sentences are often less severe.

In a statement, Biden cited political motivations behind his son’s prosecution. He also highlighted Hunter’s struggles with drug addiction while emphasizing that his son had been unfairly targeted because of their relationship.

In a social media post, Donald Trump called the pardon “an abuse and miscarriage of Justice.” The president-elect, too, issued pardons in his first term—including to political allies Steve Bannon, Roger Stone, Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn—for which he came under fire.

The pardon has sparked political controversy, with Republicans accusing Biden of using his power to shield his son.