US President Joe Biden said he ruled out issuing a pardon for his son, Hunter, if he is convicted of federal criminal charges and that he will respect the ruling.

Biden was speaking about a legal case that threatens to overshadow his attempt to be re-elected against former President Donald Trump in the upcoming November, according to a report by Bloomberg News on Thursday.

Biden answered "yes" in an interview with a host on ABC when asked if he would respect the ruling and if he had ruled out a pardon for Hunter Biden.

Hunter Biden faces charges related to firearms stemming from allegations that he illegally purchased a gun in 2018 during his drug addiction, where he lied when he answered "no" to a question about whether he was using a controlled substance or was an addict.