In the days leading up to Hunter Biden’s trial on felony gun charges, President Joe Biden has not distanced himself from his son, instead standing by him amid a difficult moment for both men. They have been seen together at the White House, in Delaware, and attending events such as a state dinner for Kenya and marking the anniversary of Beau Biden’s death. The president also planned to spend time in Wilmington where the trial is set to begin, showing his support for his son despite the legal troubles.
Hunter Biden, 54, is accused of illegally purchasing and possessing a gun while abusing drugs, to which he has pleaded not guilty. He has been open about his struggles with addiction to alcohol and crack cocaine. Despite the legal issues facing his son, Joe Biden has chosen to pull Hunter closer to him rather than push him away, showing his concern for his son’s well-being above any potential political fallout. Hunter’s legal team operates separately from the president, and there are no plans for the White House to speak proactively about the trial.
Joe Biden remains in regular contact with his son, speaking or texting almost daily as his legal issues have mounted. The president has expressed pride in his son and has said that Hunter has done nothing wrong. As the gun trial proceeds, Biden will be traveling overseas to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, but he is expected to stay informed about the trial and remain in touch with Hunter throughout his trip. The trial has lined up several witnesses, including three of Hunter’s former romantic partners, to testify about his drug use.
Last summer, there was hope that Hunter Biden’s legal ordeal would end with a plea deal, but these hopes were dashed when an agreement fell apart, and a special counsel was appointed to oversee the investigation. This has raised concerns about prolonged legal battles overlapping with Joe Biden’s potential reelection campaign, although it is believed that his son’s legal issues will not be a significant concern for voters come election time. Hunter Biden and his team have taken their own approach to addressing the situation, accusing Republicans of trying to use his addiction issues for political gain.
The sensitive nature of Hunter Biden’s addiction battles and legal woes has left the Biden White House treading lightly on the subject, with little proactive discussion expected from the president or his team. Despite the challenges faced by Hunter, his family, and the broader political environment, the focus remains on supporting his son through this difficult time. Hunter Biden himself has expressed frustration at what he views as political attacks on his personal struggles, suggesting that there are efforts to undermine his father’s presidency through targeting him. It remains to be seen how the trial will unfold and what impact it may have on the Biden administration in the long run.
