Hunter Biden, the sole surviving son of President Joe Biden, is going on trial today in Wilmington, Delaware, on three firearms-related charges brought by special counsel David Weiss, a Trump appointee. He has pleaded not guilty.
The trial, which marks the first time the child of a sitting president has been on trial, begins days after former President Donald Trump was convicted in his New York hush money case.
The White House said last year that Biden will not pardon Hunter Biden if he is convicted.
The trial, which will be overseen by U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika, is expected to last roughly two weeks.
In a statement this morning, President Joe Biden said, “I am the President, but I am also a Dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today.”
“Hunter’s resilience in the face of adversity and the strength he has brought to his recovery are inspiring to us. A lot of families have loved ones who have overcome addiction and know what we mean,” he said.
He continued, “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.
Our family has been through a lot together, and Jill and I are going to continue to be there for Hunter and our family with our love and support.”
The younger Biden, 54, faces a three-count indictment over making false statements about his drug use to buy a gun back in 2018.
His indictment was filed on September 14, 2023 and brought by US Special Counsel David Weiss after a plea deal between Hunter Biden and Weiss imploded in July 2023.
The deal would have erased gun charges in exchange for Biden pleading guilty to two tax charges. Under the deal, Biden would have avoided prison.
In October 2018, Hunter Biden purchased a Colt Cobra .38 special revolver from a gun shop called StarQuest Shooters & Survival Supply in Wilmington, Delaware — a town that the Bidens call home.
Delaware gun laws allow adults to purchase and own guns, but federal law requires the person seeking to purchase to fill out a Firearm Transaction Record form, or ATF Form 4473.
The form requires details such as height, weight, birth date and declarations such as whether the purchaser is in the country unlawfully, has been convicted of a felony or admitted to a mental institution in the past.
Among the questions on the form is: “Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?” with “Yes” and “No” options as answers.
Here are the three counts that he was indicted for:
Count 1 and 2 are about how, according to the prosecution, Hunter Biden knowingly made a false and fictitious written statement about his use of drugs, lying to a gun dealer. This violates multiple sections of Title 18 of the US Code.
Count 3 is about the younger Biden knowingly possessing the gun while being an unlawful drug user. This also violates federal law, particularly Title 18 of the Code.
Hunter Biden could face a maximum punishment of 25 years in prison, according to the US Department of Justice.
