On a difficult day for the American president, Joe Biden, his son Hunter Biden was found guilty by a federal criminal court of illegal possession of a firearm in 2018. The news of this verdict came at an untimely moment as Joe Biden was preparing to give a speech on limiting the proliferation of firearms in the United States, a pressing issue in the country.
In Delaware, after two weeks of debates and appearances alongside Jill Biden, the First Lady and mother-in-law of Hunter Biden, the jury found the son of the President guilty on three counts related to his possession and purchase of a gun in 2018. This marks the first criminal conviction of a child of a sitting president, adding complexity to the Biden administration.
Hunter Biden’s lawyer argued that he had not been using drugs at the time of purchasing the gun and emphasized that the firearm was never loaded, carried or used during his possession. Despite facing up to 25 years in prison, alternative sentencing might be considered in his case. The Republican Party, particularly under the leadership of Donald Trump, has long attempted to use Hunter Biden’s personal troubles to discredit Joe Biden but no solid evidence has been presented so far.
The trial brought up painful memories of Hunter Biden’s struggles with addiction as defense highlighted his efforts towards detoxification between 2015 and 2019. His romantic relationship with his brother’s widow, drug problems confirmed by multiple people close to him and circumstances surrounding his gun purchase were all brought to light during proceedings. The Biden family has publicly shown their support for Hunter despite potential impact on Joe Biden’s presidency and reputation.
