In a historic verdict, Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, was convicted on Tuesday for lying about his illegal drug use to purchase a firearm. This marks the first time a sitting president’s child has been convicted of a crime.
A 12-member jury in Wilmington, Delaware—home to the Biden family—found Hunter Biden, 54, guilty on all three counts. He acknowledged the verdict with a subtle nod, then patted his lawyer, Abbe Lowell, on the back and embraced another legal team member. First Lady Jill Biden and Hunter’s wife Melissa supported him as they left the courtroom.
Lowell announced they would “vigorously pursue all legal challenges available to Hunter.” Meanwhile, Biden faces a separate tax case in California.
Outside the courtroom, Hunter Biden briefly addressed Reuters, expressing gratitude for the support he received, stating, “All is good,” as he held a child on his lap.
The trial unfolded against the backdrop of the upcoming presidential election on November 5, where Joe Biden will face his Republican predecessor, Donald Trump, recently convicted on felony counts in New York.
Prosecutors delved into Hunter Biden’s battles with alcohol and crack cocaine, which legally disqualified him from purchasing a firearm. After three hours of deliberation, the jury concluded he falsely declared he was free from illegal drugs on a 2018 government form to buy a Colt Cobra revolver.
Despite his disappointment with the verdict, Hunter Biden expressed gratitude for the support and the gift of recovery “one day at a time.” U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika has yet to set a sentencing date, typically within 120 days, placing it close to the November election. Sentencing guidelines suggest 15 to 21 months, though experts believe Hunter Biden might receive a shorter sentence due to compliance with pretrial release terms.
President Joe Biden stated he accepted the verdict and would respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal. The president embraced his son and family shortly after the verdict as they met his helicopter at the Delaware Air National Guard Base.
A juror, identified as No. 10, shared in an audio interview with CNN that their deliberation was apolitical, focusing solely on Hunter Biden’s actions rather than his political ties.
This conviction follows Donald Trump’s recent felony conviction, with Trump’s campaign denouncing Hunter Biden’s trial as a diversion from alleged crimes by the Biden family. Congressional Democrats highlighted the trial as evidence of an unbiased legal system under President Biden, who has stated he would not pardon his son.
During the trial, testimony from Hunter Biden’s ex-wife, former girlfriend, and sister-in-law revealed his severe addiction issues. Prosecutors presented text messages, photos, and bank records showing Biden’s deep addiction when he purchased the gun, intentionally lying on the screening form. The defense argued Biden did not consider himself a drug user at the time.
U.S. Department of Justice Special Counsel David Weiss, who also charged Biden with tax offenses in California, emphasized the dangerous combination of guns and drugs in his post-trial remarks. The California trial is set for September 5, with Biden pleading not guilty.
