Unpacking the pardon

What did Hunter Biden do and what is a presidential pardon?

One thing is certain: If he hadn't been Joe Biden's son, his case would have been settled one way or another years ago.

On the morality of pardoning your own son? I like a quote from E.M. Forster: 

“If I had to choose between betraying my country and betraying my friend, I hope I should have the guts to betray my country.”

What if it's about a son you love, not just a friend? True, he promised not to pardon Hunter, but he made a morally defensible choice, since---unlike the implications of the Forster dilemma---the pardon didn't do any harm to his country.

See also Kevin Drum on the pardon.