In a stunning turn of events, Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, has been found guilty of three felony charges, leaving his fate in the hands of a Trump-appointed judge as he faces the prospect of a potential prison sentence and hefty fines. This verdict marks an unprecedented moment in American history, as Hunter Biden becomes the first-ever child of a sitting president to answer to criminal charges.
A Delaware jury reached its guilty verdict in Hunter’s federal gun trial on Tuesday, June 11, after three hours of deliberations spread across two days. The charges stem from Hunter’s alleged actions in 2018, when he was accused of lying about his drug use to obtain a weapon and subsequently possessing the weapon for 11 days while addicted to a controlled substance.
Potential Consequences
The charges carry a significant weight, with the possibility of up to 25 years in prison and fines amounting to $750,000. However, it is worth noting that first-time offenders rarely receive the maximum sentence and often avoid jail time altogether. Ultimately, the final sentencing decision rests with District Judge Maryellen Noreika, who was appointed to the bench by former President Donald Trump with support from both of Delaware’s Democratic senators.
The trial, which began in Wilmington, Del., on Monday, June 3, was attended by several of Hunter’s loved ones, including his stepmother, Jill Biden; his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden; his younger half-sister, Ashley Biden; his eldest daughter, Naomi Biden; his son-in-law, Peter Neal; his uncle, James Biden; James’ wife, Sara Jones Biden; his aunt, Valerie Biden Owens; and the first lady’s sister, Bonny Jacobs.
Testimony and Support
Ahead of closing arguments, Rev. Christopher Alan Bullock, a family friend who preaches at the Canaan Baptist Church in New Castle, Del., paid a visit to pray with Hunter inside the courthouse. Hunter’s previous romantic partners, including Zoe Kestan and his first wife of nearly 25 years, Kathleen Buhle, were also called to testify about his drug usage and character.
Hallie Biden, the widow of Beau Biden who developed a romantic relationship with Hunter amid their grief, also testified, detailing the turbulent period of their lives. Notably, Hallie was offered immunity from prosecution before taking the stand, allowing her to admit that after growing closer to Hunter, she began using crack cocaine too.
The Investigation
The investigation into Hunter Biden’s actions was initiated in 2018 by Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney David Weiss during Trump’s presidency. After President Biden’s election, Weiss was asked to continue the investigation, and in August 2023, Attorney General Merrick Garland boosted Weiss to special counsel status. In September, a federal grand jury approved a three-count indictment against Hunter related to his possession of a firearm. Three months later, the special counsel indicted him on nine federal tax charges related to alleged tax evasion.
President Biden’s Stance
President Biden, 81, has previously committed to respecting the outcome of Hunter’s legal battles. As a feature of honoring jurors’ judgments, he has stated that he will not use his presidential power to pardon his son.
