**[Anchor]**
As President Joe Biden decided to pardon his second son ahead of his departure from office, the White House explained that it was to prevent a political offensive from Trump’s camp.
However, there is criticism that if President-elect Trump abuses judicial power after taking office, there will be weaker grounds to prevent it.
This is Washington correspondent Hong Sang-hee.
**[Reporter]**
After a Christmas event at the White House, questions were directed at First Lady Jill Biden.
**Jill Biden / U.S. First Lady: (Do you support Hunter Biden’s pardon?) Of course. I support my son’s pardon.**
The announcement of the pardon, made about a month before leaving office, is drawing criticism for being hypocritical, but President Biden, who is on his way to a visit in Angola, has not provided any additional comments.
However, the White House spokesperson explained during an in-flight briefing that the decision was made to block political offensives from adversaries.
**Karine Jean-Pierre / White House Spokesperson: One reason the President decided on the pardon was that his opponents seemed unlikely to let it (the Hunter Biden issue) go.**
They emphasized disagreement with President-elect Trump’s critique that the pardon was weaponized for political purposes.
Sentencing, which was scheduled for the 12th and 16th for Hunter Biden, is also expected to be canceled due to the unconditional pardon.
The impact is growing as President Joe Biden, who had pledged not to pardon his son, reversed his promise.
**Joe Biden / U.S. President (last June): I am satisfied with my decision to do nothing. I said I would follow the jury’s decision, and I won’t pardon him.**
Criticism is rising from Republicans and even from Democratic Governor Jared Polis of Colorado, condemning Biden for leaving a bad precedent that future presidents could abuse.
There is also concern that criticism of President-elect Trump for undermining political neutrality by appointing loyalists to the Attorney General and FBI Director positions may lose traction.
From Washington, this is Hong Sang-hee for YTN.
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