Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, has been convicted on all three felony charges related to the purchase of a revolver in 2018. The charges stem from allegations that Hunter lied on a gun-purchase form by stating that he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs. The jury deliberated for three hours over two days before delivering the verdict.
During the reading of the verdict, Hunter Biden maintained a stoic demeanor. However, after the verdict was announced, he hugged his attorneys and smiled faintly. He then embraced his wife, Melissa, and they left the courtroom together. In a written statement following the verdict, Hunter expressed disappointment but gratitude for the support of his loved ones. His attorney stated that they would continue to pursue all available legal avenues.
First lady Jill Biden arrived at the courthouse shortly after the jury’s decision was announced. She was not present in the courtroom when the verdict was read. Hunter Biden and the first lady left the courthouse hand in hand, accompanied by his wife. They chose not to speak to reporters and promptly departed in waiting SUVs.
President Joe Biden, upon learning of the verdict, stated that he would accept the outcome and respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal. He emphasized that he and Jill would always support their son and the rest of their family. The president’s statement conveyed a sense of unwavering love and commitment.
The jury found Hunter Biden guilty of lying to a federally licensed gun dealer, making false claims on the application form regarding his drug use, and illegally possessing the firearm for 11 days. Although he could face up to 25 years in prison, it is unlikely that he will receive the maximum sentence as a first-time offender. The judge has not yet set a date for sentencing.
Interestingly, this conviction places both Hunter Biden and former President Donald Trump in a unique position. Both individuals have now been convicted by American jurors during an election year that has been as much focused on courtrooms as on campaign events and rallies.
President Joe Biden has deliberately distanced himself from the federal trial in Delaware, where his son was tried. He has been cautious in commenting on the case, as he does not want to appear to be interfering in a criminal matter handled by the Justice Department. However, allies of the president express concerns about the toll that the trial and subsequent conviction may take on him, given his long-standing worries about his son’s health and sobriety.
While both Hunter Biden and Trump have claimed to be victims of political circumstances, only Trump has continued to falsely assert that the verdict was “rigged.” In contrast, Joe Biden has made it clear that he accepts the results of the trial and will not seek to pardon his son.
Hunter Biden’s legal troubles are not yet over. He is scheduled to face trial in September in California on charges of failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes. Furthermore, congressional Republicans have indicated their intention to pursue him in their stalled impeachment effort against President Biden. It is important to note that there have been no accusations or charges against the president himself in relation to his son’s legal issues.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution focused heavily on highlighting the severity of Hunter Biden’s drug addiction. They presented deeply personal testimonies from his ex-wife and former girlfriend, who recounted his habitual crack use and their unsuccessful attempts to help him recover. Jurors were shown images of Hunter in disheveled states, holding crack pipes, and videos of his crack cocaine being weighed on a scale.
Hunter Biden did not testify during the trial, but jurors heard excerpts from his 2021 memoir, “Beautiful Things.” In the book, he discusses hitting rock bottom after his brother Beau’s death in 2015 and his subsequent descent into drug addiction before achieving sobriety.
The prosecution believed that this evidence was crucial in proving that Hunter was in the grip of addiction when he purchased the gun. They argued that he lied on the application form when he denied being an unlawful drug user or addict.
In his defense, Hunter Biden’s lawyers contended that he did not consider himself an “addict” at the time of purchasing the gun. They sought to demonstrate that he was actively working on turning his life around, having completed a rehabilitation program in August 2018. The defense presented three witnesses, including Hunter’s daughter Naomi, who testified that he appeared to be making progress in the weeks leading up to the gun purchase.
The trial took place in Delaware, the president’s home state, where the Biden family has deep roots. Joe Biden served as a senator in Delaware for 36 years, commuting daily to Washington, D.C., and his late son Beau served as the state’s attorney general.
Hunter Biden had initially hoped to resolve the long-standing federal investigation through a deal with prosecutors that would have avoided a trial so close to the 2024 election. The proposed agreement involved pleading guilty to misdemeanor tax offenses and evading prosecution in the gun case as long as he remained out of legal trouble for two years. However, the deal fell through after Judge Maryellen Noreika, who was nominated by Trump, raised concerns about certain aspects of the agreement.
Following the collapse of the deal, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed David Weiss, Delaware’s U.S. attorney, as a special counsel. A month later, Hunter Biden was indicted.
Hunter has suggested that he was charged due to pressure from Republicans who claimed he was receiving special treatment as the son of a Democratic president.
The incident that brought law enforcement’s attention to the revolver occurred when Beau Biden’s widow, Hallie Biden, discovered the unloaded gun in Hunter’s truck. Panicking, she disposed of it in a grocery store garbage can. Unfortunately, a man unknowingly retrieved it from the trash. Hallie eventually contacted the police, who recovered the firearm from the man. However, due to Hunter’s lack of cooperation, the case was ultimately closed, with Hunter considered the victim.
While Hunter Biden’s conviction on the gun charges is a significant legal setback, his legal troubles are far from over. The impending tax trial in California and the ongoing scrutiny from congressional Republicans indicate that his legal battles will continue to be a source of concern for both him and his family.
