What did Hunter Biden do? Here are the convictions that led to a presidential pardon
President Joe Biden made the surprise announcement Sunday that he would pardon his son Hunter Biden, even after he had previously vowed not to.
"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," President Biden said in a statement. "It is clear that Hunter was treated differently."
Biden was convicted in two federal cases earlier this year, a first for a sitting president's child. President-elect Donald Trump, other Republican lawmakers and some Democratic lawmakers were critical of President Biden's decision.
Here is what you need to know about the criminal cases:
More on the pardon: President Biden pardons his son Hunter Biden despite pledges not to
What did Hunter Biden do?
In June, Hunter Biden was convicted in a case over whether he lied about being addicted to drugs while buying a gun in 2018. He was found guilty on the following charges:
Lying on a federal screening form about his drug use
Lying to a gun dealer
Possessing a gun despite restrictions for people addicted to drugs
Just before another federal trial was scheduled to start in September, Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to three felonies and six misdemeanors that alleged he failed to pay $1.4 million in taxes between 2016 and 2019.
The sentencing for the cases was expected to occur in the coming weeks.
The pardon also covered any "offenses" he may have committed from Jan. 1, 2014 through Dec. 1, 2024.
Hunter Biden reacted to the pardon by saying he has "admitted and taken responsibility for my mistakes during the darkest days of my addiction – mistakes that have been exploited to publicly humiliate and shame me and my family for political sport."
What does it mean to be pardoned by the president?
Under Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution, the president "shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment."
A pardon and a commutation of sentence are both ways for the president to grant leniency to someone who has committed a federal crime.
A pardon is a way for the president to express forgiveness and is typically granted when the person has accepted responsibility for the crime and is in good standing after the fact, according to the Department of Justice.
"It does not signify innocence. It does, however, remove civil disabilities – e.g., restrictions on the right to vote, hold state or local office, or sit on a jury – imposed because of the conviction for which pardon is sought, and should lessen the stigma arising from the conviction," the DOJ states.
A commutation, on the other hand, reduces sentence but does not change a conviction.
How many people did President Biden pardon?
Biden has pardoned 25 other people during his presidency, according to a list by the DOJ.
According to Pew Research, Trump issued 143 pardons and Barack Obama issued 212 pardons during their respective presidencies.
Contributing: Xerxes Wilson, Bart Jansen, Rebecca Morin
Kinsey Crowley is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected], and follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What did Hunter Biden do? Convictions led to Joe Biden's pardon