President Joe Biden has faced backlash from his own party following his controversial decision to pardon his son, Hunter, with some accusing him of prioritizing family over the nation.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, criticized Biden’s decision, stating that while he understood the desire to help his son, the move put “family ahead of the country.” Polis added, “This is a bad precedent that could be abused by future presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation.”

Polis, who supported Biden in 2020, had previously held off on calls for Biden to step down after early debates, but now expressed his disappointment over the pardon.

Meanwhile, the Donald Trump campaign condemned the move, accusing Democrats of “weaponizing” the justice system.

Incoming Trump communications director Steven Cheung said, “The failed witch hunts against President Trump have proven that the Democrat-controlled DOJ and other radical prosecutors are guilty of weaponizing the justice system.”

He added that justice must be restored for all Americans, a promise President Trump plans to fulfill upon his return to the White House.

A White House official responded, denying any link between the pardon and Trump’s recent announcement to appoint loyalists to key positions, stating that the decision was based on “what has already happened in this case, in which political pressure has resulted in a miscarriage of justice.”