Jury selection is set to begin in a federal case against Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden. The charges stem from allegations that he lied to a gun dealer, made false statements on a firearms application, and illegally owned a gun while addicted to drugs. Despite pleading not guilty, prosecutors claim that Hunter Biden purchased a gun while addicted to crack cocaine and alcohol and marked on the required form that he was not a drug user. The trial, which is expected to last three to six days, will be overseen by a judge nominated by former President Donald Trump.
If convicted on all charges, Hunter Biden could face up to 25 years in prison and $750,000 in fines. Legal experts believe that he is unlikely to receive the maximum sentence but could still face some jail time, given his lack of prior convictions. Hunter Biden’s attorneys plan to argue that the form was altered by someone at the gun store after the purchase, suggesting that someone else may have falsely marked the box stating he was not a drug user. President Joe Biden has expressed his support for his son, stating that he has confidence in him and that the family will continue to be there for him.
First Lady Jill Biden, Hunter Biden’s stepmother, was in court for the trial on Monday. Prosecutors have indicated that they may call at least two of Hunter Biden’s exes, including his former wife and the widow of his brother, to testify in the case. Hunter Biden is also facing federal tax charges, with a separate trial scheduled to begin in Los Angeles in September. This trial focuses on allegations that he failed to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes between 2016 and 2019, instead spending the money on an “extravagant lifestyle.”
Hunter Biden has been the subject of Republican-led investigations into his family’s business dealings, with allegations that the president may have used his influence to benefit his son. These investigations, which have included details from a laptop allegedly left at a Delaware computer store, have so far not provided evidence of improper behavior by the president. The trials against Hunter Biden mark a significant point in his legal troubles, as he faces the potential for substantial penalties if convicted on the charges against him. Despite the support of his family, including his father, the outcome of these trials will have far-reaching implications for the president’s son.
