WASHINGTON, December 2. /TASS/. US President Joe Biden has decided to pardon his son Hunter in two court cases, the US leader said in a statement released by the White House press service.

According to the statement, the cases concern proceedings in the states of Delaware and California.

The White House had previously repeatedly stated that Biden had no plans to pardon his son.

TASS has gathered the key facts about the situation.

The charges

The statement indicates that the matter involves legal proceedings in Delaware and California.

In Delaware, Hunter Biden faced charges related to possession of firearms. He was found guilty and is set to be sentenced on December 12.

In California, the American leader's son pleaded guilty to all charges in a tax fraud case. His sentencing is scheduled for December 16.

Hunter Biden's statement

Hunter Biden, after being pardoned by his father, stated that he planned to dedicate his life to helping people struggling with addictions.

Reaction to the pardon

US President-elect Donald Trump said Biden's decision was a blatant example of abuse and a miscarriage of justice.

The decision by the US president came as no surprise, according to Donald Trump Jr., the son of the president-elect. He stated that the only factor delaying Joe Biden's decision was the potential damage it could cause to the Democrats in the general election.

Member of the US House of Representatives Marjorie Taylor-Greene (Republican, Georgia) believes that Biden, by pardoning his son, acknowledged that he is actually a criminal.

Indiana Republican Senator-elect Jim Banks criticized the US president for his decision, linking it to his work at the Ukrainian Burisma energy provider.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the US leader's decision a mockery of democracy.