President Joe Biden's pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, on Sunday has stirred political tensions nationwide.

This unexpected move reversed Biden’s previously stated stance of non-intervention, consequently drawing sharp criticism from political figures, including President-elect Donald Trump, as Fox News reports.

The pardon of Hunter Biden marks a significant shift in President Joe Biden's handling of his son's legal troubles. Originally, Biden had made it clear that he intended to stay out of the Department of Justice’s proceedings regarding Hunter’s cases, reinforcing his stance of non-interference and adherence to the legal process.

Hunter Biden found himself entangled with the law due to serious charges on which he was convicted earlier this year. These charges involved three felony firearm violations in Delaware, which were substantial enough to bring him to the attention of legal authorities.

In addition to the gun-related cases, Hunter Biden faced tax-related offenses. In September, he pleaded guilty to several felony tax crimes, adding to his legal woes. This series of charges set the stage for heated public debates over fairness and accountability.

Biden Cites Personal and Legal Justifications for Pardon

In defending his decision to pardon Hunter, President Biden pointed to his son’s past struggles with addiction and his current sobriety. Joe Biden emphasized that Hunter has been sober for five and a half years, despite what he described as ongoing, targeted legal challenges.

Biden also contended that his son was a victim of selective prosecution. He argued that individuals with similar offenses but without additional aggravating circumstances, such as using firearms in related crimes, are rarely prosecuted solely on these grounds.

Further justifying his decision, Biden underlined that those who find themselves in arrears on taxes due to substance abuse issues often receive non-criminal resolutions, provided they rectify the situation by repaying the obligations along with interest and penalties.

Trump's Response Invokes J-6 Comparisons

The pardon immediately provoked a pointed reaction from President-elect Donald Trump. Taking to Truth Social, Trump questioned whether this clemency extended to what he described as "J-6 Hostages," referring to those detained in relation to the Jan. 6 Capitol unrest.

Trump criticized Biden's decision as a profound miscarriage of justice. His remark implied that fairness and clemency should be extended to his supporters who were involved in the Capitol events, highlighting what he says is a perceived double standard in legal treatments.

Adding to his criticism, Trump, through his transition team, lambasted what he sees as weaponization of the justice system against him and other conservatives. Steven Cheung, Trump's incoming White House communications chief, described the justice system as plagued by partisan actions.

Tension Over Judicial Fairness and Selectivity

The response does not solely lie with Trump, as his team has consistently accused Democrat-aligned prosecutors of bias. This accusation suggests that the legal system has been unfairly targeting Trump while extending leniency to Democrats, a claim his team vows to address.

Biden, aiming to clarify his position, indicated that his non-intervention policy was consistent from his first day in office. He originally pledged to honor the jury’s decisions regarding Hunter’s legal battles, something which is now viewed in contrast to the pardon issued on Sunday.

Publicly, Trump had anticipated this possible outcome. He earlier suggested to media outlets that Biden might eventually pardon his son and did not close to door to doing so himself after the start of his new term.

Public and Political Reactions Continue

This turn of events has accentuated political divides within the United States. While Biden maintains that justice was selectively applied to his son, others argue that this pardon indicates a breach of impartiality for personal reasons.

Biden's messaging underscores what he says is his belief in systemic reform need to prevent personal suffering under allegedly unfair prosecutions. In his view, attempts to prosecute Hunter were really veiled attempts to damage him personally.

The debate over this controversial pardon is set against a backdrop of increasing calls for judicial reform across partisan lines. As Biden defends what he says were his motivations, critics like Trump focus on broader implications for the justice system.

Implications for Trump’s Upcoming Term

The pardon of Hunter Biden may also spur action from within Trump's incoming administration. His team has made it clear such issues of perceived legal inequities will feature prominently in his team's agenda.

As Trump prepares to return to the White House, the pledge to "fix" the perceived flaws in the judicial system stands as a key promise to his supporters. Whether this pledge translates into policy changes remains to be seen as his transition gains momentum.

Both Biden and Trump’s comments underscore the ongoing friction in American politics, where family matters intersect with public policy, and where personal decisions elicit nationwide debates about justice and fairness.