On December 1, President Joe Biden granted a full, unconditional pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, covering any federal crimes committed from January 1, 2014 to December 1, 2024, just weeks before he vacates office.

The pardon sparked a critical response from NBC News chief political analyst Chuck Todd, who questioned Biden’s emotional capacity for the presidency and suggested that he probably never should have run for office.

In a video shared by CNN’s Chris Cillizza, Todd criticized Biden for altering his previous position and pardoning his son who was up against federal charges related to gun possession and tax evasion. Todd, a former host of Meet the Press, also questioned Biden’s decision to pursue the presidency.

Todd suggested that Biden’s decision to run for the presidency was influenced by personal motives and blamed the current state of the political party and the nation on this decision, particularly in light of Donald Trump’s reelection.

The presidential pardon nullifies the potential for imprisonment for Hunter Biden, who was facing sentencing for federal tax and gun convictions. Hunter Biden had admitted guilty to three felony tax offenses and six misdemeanor tax offenses, involving a scheme over four years where he failed to pay at least $1.4 million in federal taxes.

In his defense, President Biden stated that his son was “selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted” and that the charges were politically motivated. The president claimed, “Raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice.”

This pardon is a major shift from Biden’s earlier position, where he had stated he would not pardon his son to avoid meddling with the justice system.

Chuck Todd, who acknowledged a past personal relationship with the Biden family, criticized the president’s decision, labeling it “a huge mistake” that could lead to questions about Biden’s dedication to public service.

The pardon is comprehensive, absolving not only the current charges but also potential crimes related to Hunter Biden’s controversial tenure on the board of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma, which has been subject to Republican scrutiny for some time.

The timing of the pardon, issued just weeks before Biden hands over the reins to President-elect Donald Trump, is significant. Trump has long criticized Hunter Biden’s legal and personal issues.

In response to the pardon, Hunter Biden said that he would never take the clemency for granted and stated his intention to dedicate his life to helping those battling addiction.

The decision has been met with criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, who argue that it undermines the integrity of the justice system.

Social media users, particularly those with conservative leanings, praised Todd’s comments, while others dismissed his criticism. One user wrote, “Chuck Todd is full of sh** and now wants to call President Biden ‘selfish.’ His opinion is irrelevant now.”