President Joe Biden has pardoned his son, Hunter, sparing the younger Biden a possible prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax convictions and reversing his past promises not to use the extraordinary powers of the presidency for the benefit of his family members.

Outgoing US President Joe Biden has issued a presidential pardon for his son, Hunter, who faced years in prison over charges related to gun possession and tax fraud. Biden had previously said he wouldn't pardon his son but changed his mind as he felt Hunter had been "unfairly persecuted".

Hunter Biden was facing up to 17 years behind bars for tax charges and up to 25 for gun charges, but on Sunday night the president made sure his son will stay out of prison. CBS News New York's Lori Bordonaro reports.

President Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter, is set to reverberate on Capitol Hill this week, as lawmakers react to the news after years of GOP investigations targeting the younger Biden’s business dealings.

Republicans called President Joe Biden a “liar” for pardoning his son, who was convicted on gun charges and pleaded guilty to tax fraud this summer. The decision comes after the president said that he would "abide by the jury's decision" in an interview ahead of his son's conviction in June,

President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, on Sunday night, sparing the younger Biden a possible prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax convictions and reversing his past promises not to use the extraordinary powers of the presidency for the benefit of his family.

Hunter Biden in June was found guilty of falsely filling out a federal form denying he was addicted to narcotics when he purchased a firearm, lying to a gun dealer, and knowingly

President Joe Biden on Sunday signed a “full and unconditional” pardon for his son Hunter, saying he “wrestled” with the decision but believed that “raw politics” had “infected” the process that led to the younger Biden’s criminal convictions on gun and tax charges.