My instinctive reaction to news of the pardon given to Hunter Biden by his father, President Joe Biden, was that here is a father in complete, consuming agony over the fate of his only living son.

But more is in play here than a father’s unrelenting grief over the welfare of his child. There is family history and emotion, and then there is politics.

Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, in 2010.Credit: AP

Joe Biden’s firstborn son, Beau Biden, was destined to continue his father’s legacy in politics, but died from cancer. Hunter and his activities in his business and personal life – from commercial relationships in Ukraine to uncontrolled substance abuse – were the target of scorched earth investigation by Republicans in Congress, especially in the House of Representatives.

Over the past two years, Republicans made every effort to find evidence linking Hunter to his father, with the intent of moving to impeach President Biden for........

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