President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, faces trial for charges related to purchasing a firearm while using illegal drugs in 2018. His defence challenges the prosecution’s assertion of drug use at the time, with the trial expected to focus on personal texts and his past struggles with addiction. Family members, including First Lady Jill Biden, show support as the trial unfolds alongside legal developments involving former President Donald Trump. President Biden maintains love for his son but refrains from commenting on the ongoing case.
Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, appeared in federal court in Wilmington, Delaware, on June 3, 2024, as jury selection began for his trial on charges related to purchasing a firearm while using illegal drugs in 2018. He faces three felony charges: two counts of making false statements on a gun purchase form and one count of illegal possession of a firearm while using drugs. If convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison, though actual sentences typically fall below the maximum.
Biden’s defense intends to challenge the prosecution’s assertion that he was knowingly using drugs when he purchased the gun, arguing that he did not see himself as an addict at the time. The trial is expected to delve into personal texts and his memoir, which outlines his struggles with crack cocaine addiction.
First Lady Jill Biden and other family members attended the trial to show support. President Biden, while nearby in Wilmington, released a statement expressing his love for his son but refrained from commenting on the ongoing case. The trial follows the collapse of a plea deal last year and is anticipated to last up to two weeks.
In a parallel legal development, former President Donald Trump, recently convicted on 34 counts related to falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments, has appealed to the Supreme Court, alleging political bias in his trial. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) supported this appeal on Fox News, questioning the fairness of the trial process.
Meanwhile, President Biden’s re-election campaign continues amidst these high-profile legal battles involving his son and his chief political rival, Donald Trump.
