In an unprecedented event, Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, was found guilty on Tuesday of federal gun charges. This marks the first time a child of a sitting US president has faced criminal prosecution.
Hunter Biden, aged 54, was convicted on all three charges he faced, as reported by CNN and other US media outlets. The charges stemmed from allegations that he lied about his illegal drug use when purchasing a handgun in 2018, a felony offense.
The timing of this verdict is significant, as it coincides with President Joe Biden’s campaign for reelection and a scheduled speech on gun violence. Additionally, it comes shortly after the conviction of former President Donald Trump on business fraud charges, highlighting legal troubles faced by both major political families.
The jury deliberated for approximately three hours over two days before delivering the guilty verdict. Hunter Biden did not testify during the week-long trial, which took place in Wilmington, Delaware, his father’s hometown.
First Lady Jill Biden attended several days of the trial, while President Biden did not. However, he expressed his support, saying, “As the President, I don’t and won’t comment on pending federal cases, but as a Dad, I have boundless love for my son, confidence in him, and respect for his strength.”
This case, along with another pending tax evasion case against Hunter Biden in California, complicates the Democratic Party’s efforts to focus on former President Trump’s legal issues during the election. Hunter Biden’s legal challenges have also brought back painful memories for the Biden family, recalling his struggles with addiction and the tragic losses of his brother Beau in 2015 and his sister Naomi and mother Neilia in a 1972 car accident.
A Yale-trained lawyer and former lobbyist turned artist, Hunter Biden was charged with falsely stating on a federal form that he was not using illegal drugs when purchasing a .38 caliber revolver in 2018. He was also charged with illegal possession of the firearm, which he had for 11 days in October of that year. Despite his open discussions about his addiction, Hunter Biden claimed he did not consider himself an addict at the time of the purchase.
Although Hunter Biden could face up to 25 years in prison, it is unlikely he will serve jail time as a first-time offender. He has been a frequent target of hard-right Republicans, with extensive investigations into his business dealings in Congress. However, no corruption or influence-peddling charges have been brought against him.
Republican lawmakers have also used Hunter Biden’s business activities in China and Ukraine to attempt impeachment proceedings against President Biden, but these efforts have not succeeded. The White House has firmly stated that there will be no presidential pardon for Hunter Biden.
The conviction of Hunter Biden adds another layer of complexity to the already intense political landscape as the 2024 election approaches.
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