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It followed a long-established historical precedent.
Clinton pardoned his brother (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clinton_pardon_controvers...). The Bushes pardoned their Iran Contra cronies (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scooter_Libby_clemency_controv...). Trump pardoned his son-in-law's father (and now appointed him to be the French ambassador; https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-charles-kushner-nominatio...). Pardons have always garnered controversy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pardon_of_Richard_Nixon
> Now, Therefore, I, Gerald R. Ford, President of the United States, pursuant to the pardon power conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, have granted and by these presents do grant a full, free, and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon for all offenses against the United States which he, Richard Nixon, has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 20, 1969 through August 9, 1974.
Another interesting thing I found about Hunter's pardon was that the president openly said isolated prosecutions of lying on the 4473 are unfairly targeted, but then baffling only pardoned his son for it.