In a brief order, U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi, who presided over Hunter Biden’s federal tax case in Los Angeles, rebuked the president for his rationale behind the clemency.

The judge also questioned the constitutionality of aspects of the pardon and accused Biden of disparaging law enforcement and the justice system in the process.

The sharp criticism from a federal judge adds to bipartisan backlash against Biden’s unexpected decision to grant his son a “full and unconditional” pardon. The move, announced Sunday, comes despite Biden’s repeated prior statements that he would not intervene.

Scarsi, a Trump appointee, challenged the president’s claims of unequal treatment, which Biden cited to justify the pardon. The pardon absolves Hunter Biden of all federal offenses over an 11-year span, including a jury conviction for illegally purchasing a handgun in Delaware.

In his order, Scarsi noted that the president claimed Hunter Biden “was treated differently” from others who faced late tax payments due to addiction.

However, the judge highlighted that Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to tax evasion after becoming sober, involving misclassifications of personal expenses—such as luxury items, escort services, and tuition—as business deductions.

The judge further disputed Biden’s assertion that no “reasonable person” could conclude Hunter Biden was not targeted due to his last name.

“Two federal judges have already rejected arguments that Hunter Biden was prosecuted because of his familial ties to the president,” Scarsi wrote, adding that the investigation and charges were overseen by Biden’s own Attorney General and Department of Justice personnel.

“In the president’s view, this legion of federal civil servants, myself included, are unreasonable people,” Scarsi concluded.