President Biden's son, Hunter Biden, goes on trial this week on federal gun charges for allegedly lying about his illegal drug use when he purchased a Colt revolver in the fall of 2018.
The trial begins Monday in federal court in Delaware with jury selection. This is the first of two cases brought by Justice Department special counsel David Weiss against the president’s son. The second case, concerning tax charges, is scheduled to go to trial in September in California.
Hunter Biden faces three counts in the gun case: two for allegedly making false statements about his drug use when purchasing a firearm, and one for the unlawful possession of a gun by a drug user or addict. He has pleaded not guilty.
The trial is the latest courtroom drama of this election year with potential political implications for the 2024 presidential race.
Although Hunter Biden is not running for public office, Republicans have long sought to use his legal troubles and foreign business dealings to damage his father politically. The trial offers a fresh opportunity for them to do so.
This development comes just days after former President Donald Trump, President Biden's opponent in the 2024 election, was found guilty by a New York jury of falsifying business records related to hush money payments made to an adult film star.
In a statement Monday, President Biden emphasized his dual role as president and father. "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," he said.
The gun case is rooted in a difficult period in Hunter Biden’s life when he was grappling with the death of his brother, Beau, and was addicted to crack cocaine and alcohol. The trial is expected to dredge up deeply personal episodes for Hunter Biden and the toll they took on the Biden family.
The case centers on a Colt Cobra revolver Hunter Biden purchased at a Wilmington gun store in October 2018. Prosecutors allege that Biden lied on a standard background check form by declaring he was not using or addicted to illegal drugs.
Prosecutors plan to call around a dozen witnesses, including Biden’s ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle, and his brother’s widow, Hallie Biden, who became romantically involved with Hunter after Beau's death. It was Hallie Biden who found the gun and threw it into a dumpster outside a Wilmington market less than two weeks after Hunter purchased the weapon. The gun was later discovered by a man collecting recyclables, who alerted law enforcement.
Prosecutors also intend to use excerpts from Hunter Biden’s memoir, in which he discusses his addiction to crack cocaine. Additionally, they plan to present Biden’s text messages in which he talks about his drug use.
Less than a year ago, it appeared Hunter Biden might avoid trial entirely. He had a tentative deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to tax charges and enter into a diversion agreement on the gun offenses, allowing him to avoid trial. However, the deal fell apart during a hearing before U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika, who raised concerns about its structure. Biden’s legal team and prosecutors were unable to resolve the issues.
Weeks later, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Weiss as special counsel, who subsequently brought the two prosecutions against Biden.
Hunter Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, has attempted to get the case dismissed on various grounds, but the judge has denied all motions. Lowell has argued that the gun charges are rarely, if ever, brought under similar circumstances and accuses Weiss of yielding to Republican pressure in bringing both cases against Hunter Biden.
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