In a high-profile verdict, a federal jury in Wilmington, Delaware, has found President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, guilty on all three counts of lying about his drug use to purchase a firearm illegally. The conviction marks the first time a sitting US president’s child has been found guilty of a criminal offense.
The case, brought by Special Counsel David Weiss, a Trump appointee, has sparked a heated political debate. While Democrats argue that the justice system is not being weaponized against them, Republicans, led by former President Donald Trump, accuse the party of pursuing this case and other criminal charges to prevent Trump’s political comeback.
The trial included testimony from Hunter Biden’s former wife, girlfriend, and sister-in-law, who provided firsthand accounts of his struggle with addiction around the time he purchased the gun in 2018. Prosecutors presented text messages, photos, and financial records they say demonstrate Biden’s drug use and intent to deceive the government.
Biden’s legal team, however, argued that he was not using drugs when he bought the firearm and did not intentionally lie on the government form. Biden’s daughter, Naomi, also testified that her father appeared to be doing well before and after the gun purchase.
The sentencing guidelines for the gun-related charges against Hunter Biden range from 15 to 21 months. However, legal experts suggest defendants in similar cases often receive shorter sentences and are less likely to be incarcerated if they comply with the terms of their pretrial release.
This verdict comes on the heels of Donald Trump’s criminal conviction in May, making him the first former US president to be found guilty of a felony. These cases’ political implications will surely reverberate as the 2024 election cycle heats up.
