The White House today defended Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter, saying the outgoing president believed his political opponents would continue to pursue his son after he left office.

“They would continue to persecute his sonWhite House spokeswoman Karin Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard the presidential jet during a flight to Angola.

Jean-Pierre noted that this is not the first time a president has pardoned a relative.

Last June, Biden assured that he would not pardon his son, Hunter Biden. The spokeswoman declined to elaborate on how or why Biden changed his mind.

In September the Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to tax evasion in Los Angeles federal court and was scheduled to be sentenced on December 16 by Mark S. Scarci, a judge appointed by Donald Trump when he was president. In June Hunter was found guilty of making a false statement in the purchase of a gun and his sentence for that offense was due to be announced later this month.

Joe Biden said Sunday that his son was treated differently, compared to other defendants facing similar charges.

Late Sunday night, Hunter Biden’s attorney filed a motion to drop the charges against his client, citing a pardon granted by his father.