President Biden previously had said he would not issue a pardon to his son, Hunter, who was convicted in June of federal gun charges for lying about his addiction to crack cocaine when he purchased a gun. Three months later, he entered a guilty plea to tax offenses for failing to pay at least $1.4 million in federal taxes. Sentencing was expected later this month in both cases. The decision is attracting criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.

This episode: voting correspondent Ashley Lopez, national justice correspondent Ryan Lucas, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson.

The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han and Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

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