Donald Trump faces sharp criticism for commuting Roger Stone's jail term

The White House on Saturday said Stone was the victim of an attempt by opponents to undermine the presidency

Leading Democrats in the US have condemned President Donald Trump's decision to commute the prison sentence of his former advisor and friend Roger Stone.

Presidential contender Joe Biden's spokesman accused Trump of abuse of power and "laying waste" to US values, the BBC reported.

The move — sparing Stone the jail term, but not giving a pardon — came just after a court denied Stone's request to delay the start date of his 40-month prison term.

Stone had been convicted of lying to the Congress, obstruction and witness tampering.

Stone was the sixth Trump aide found guilty on charges linked to a justice department probe