The White House has defended President Joe Biden's pardon of his son, Hunter, after repeatedly insisting he had no plans to grant such executive clemency.

The White House said on Monday that President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter in part because of concern his political opponents would continue to persecute the younger Biden in the future, as a growing chorus of Democrats and Republicans criticized his decision.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Monday defended President Joe Biden's decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, despite telling the press multiple times that the president had no such plans.