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Joe Biden will ‘respect’ verdict as son Hunter found guilty of all gun charges
Joe Biden said he would “respect” his son’s conviction after he was found guilty on all three counts in his federal gun case.
The US president’s only surviving son, Hunter, 54 was found by a jury in his hometown of Wilmington to have lied about his drug addiction to buy a handgun that he owned for 11 days in 2018.
The charges carry a maximum sentence of up to 25 years in prison and $750,000 in fines, although a custodial sentence is considered unlikely for a first-time offender.
Mr Biden, 81, said: “I am the president, but I am also a dad”, describing his love for his son and pride in his recovery.
However, Mr Biden has ruled out issuing a presidential pardon for his son.
“I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal,” he said.
Democrats have presented the response as a dividing line between the president and his Republican opponent, Donald Trump, in the 2024 campaign.
Trump, 77, who was himself convicted earlier this month, has dismissed his own prosecution for falsifying business records as a political hit job intended to impede his return to the White House.
Tuesday’s verdict in Delaware undercuts those claims, Biden allies argued.
Hunter Biden is the first child of a sitting US president to be prosecuted by the government, on charges rarely prosecuted as standalone crimes.
Donald Trump Jr was quick to dismiss the verdict as a “red herring” designed to distract from more serious tax charges and allegations of shadowy foreign business dealings.
Hunter faces a second trial in California in September on charges alleging he failed to pay at least $1.4 million (£1.1 million) in taxes over four years.
The 2024 Trump campaign argued the prosecution was still proof of an unfair judicial system.
“This trial has been nothing more than a distraction from the real crimes of the Biden crime family,” said Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign press secretary.
Jurors took just over three hours to reach their unanimous verdict, after hearing several Biden family members commit deeply embarrassing details of their private lives to the public record.
They heard the president’s scandal-plagued son in his own words describing his “superpower” ability to track down crack cocaine, as prosecutors played his narration of his 2021 autobiography, Beautiful Things.
Prosecutors then called some of his former lovers to testify.
His ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle, revealed she was first confronted with his drug use when she found a crack pipe in an ashtray in their Washington DC home in 2015.
He would become “angry and short-tempered” while using, she said and ignored her pleas to seek treatment.
“I was definitely worried, scared,” she said. She told the court she would search her husband’s car before their three daughters used it, so they “wouldn’t drive with drugs”.
The couple divorced in 2017 after Ms Buhle discovered her husband’s infidelity, she told the court.
Zoe Kestan, 30, told the court she met the president’s son at a New York strip club in December 2017. She gave him a private dance while he smoked crack, she said.
She described him as “charming”, despite his need to take drugs “every 20 minutes” from waking during their hotel hook-ups. “Everybody loved him,” she said.
But it was Hallie Biden, the widow of Hunter’s military veteran older brother, Beau, who appeared as the star witness for the prosecution.
Following Beau’s death from brain cancer in 2015, Ms Biden began dating Hunter, a contentious episode in the Biden family drama.
She told the court Hunter “introduced” her to crack cocaine during their romance.
“I’m embarrassed and ashamed, and I regret that period of my life,” she said, facing him across the court. He bowed his head at the defence table as she spoke.
Ms Biden was a key witness to her ex-boyfriend’s drug use around the period he purchased a Colt Cobra .38 revolver in a Delaware gun shop.
He said he was not “an unlawful user” of drugs, or addicted to them, on a background check he filled out to buy it on Oct 6, 2018.
Ms Biden told the court that, on Oct 23, she discovered drug paraphernalia and the Colt revolver in an unlocked box in Hunter’s car.
She decided to dispose of the firearm in a bin outside a high-end supermarket near her home.
“I didn’t want him to hurt himself or my kids to find it and hurt themselves,” she told the court.
She later returned to retrieve the gun, but it was gone. She called the police to report the incident, setting in train the sequence of events that led to his conviction.
Abbe Lowell, Hunter’s defence lawyer, had argued that Hunter was not using drugs when he purchased the gun and did not consider himself an addict at the time.
Hunter sought treatment for spells before and after purchasing the gun, and has been sober since 2019, he told the court.
Mr Lowell argued prosecutors took Hunter’s descriptions of his battle with drugs out of context and noted that they had also failed to produce anyone who witnessed him taking drugs in the period when he purchased and possessed the gun.
The jury spent just over three hours deliberating to find Hunter guilty of two charges of lying on background check forms and one charge of illegally possessing a firearm.
Watching from the public gallery throughout the proceedings were Jill Biden, her daughter Ashley, and Melissa Cohen, Hunter’s second wife.
They were forced to relive painful chapters in their family history as prosecutors read deeply private text exchanges, and showed photos of a topless Hunter surrounded by drug paraphernalia in hotel rooms and baths.
The evidence prosecutors presented was, in their own telling, “personal, ugly and overwhelming”.
In summing up their case, prosecutor Leo Wise told the jury to ignore the famous faces “sitting in the gallery”.
“You may recognise them from the news,” he said, “but respectfully, none of that matters”.
Hunter left the federal court, where a portrait of his father hangs in the atrium, holding hands with his stepmother and his wife.
“I am more grateful today for the love and support I experienced this last week from Melissa, my family, my friends, and my community than I am disappointed by the outcome,” he said.
“Recovery is possible by the grace of God, and I am blessed to experience that gift one day at a time.”
Speaker: Evidence against Hunter Biden was ‘overwhelming’
Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, has denied that Hunter Biden’s conviction undermines claims of a two-tiered justice system.
He told CNN: “Every case is different. And clearly the evidence was overwhelming here. I don’t think that’s the case in the Trump trials.
“And all the charges that have been brought against him have been obviously brought for political purposes. Hunter Biden is a separate incident.”
Biden speaks at gun safety event after son’s conviction
Joe Biden is currently speaking at a gun safety event in Washington, DC - just hours after his son was convicted of gun crimes in a federal court in Delaware.
David Weiss, who led Hunter Biden’s prosecution, criticised the 54-year-old’s “dangerous” decision to buy and possess a gun while addicted to crack cocaine earlier today.
Why Hunter Biden’s gun conviction could benefit the Democrats
Hunter Biden’s conviction on federal gun charges is not surprising. The evidence against the president’s son was overwhelming.
It included his own memoir, embarrassing texts with his relatives, and a string of unflattering photos all illustrating the depths of his drug addiction.
But even some Republican critics of Joe Biden have argued the trial was an unnecessary exercise in public humiliation for the US president’s family.
Read the full analysis from Rozina Sabur here.
‘The justice system is working’
“Hunter Biden’s conviction definitely weakens the argument” that Donald Trump is the victim of political persecution, a major Republican donor has said.
Dan Eberhart, a supporter of the former president’s campaign, told NBC News: “To me, the justice system is working.”
Trump was convicted of 34 counts of falsifying business records in a New York court last month. His lawyers have signalled he intends to appeal the verdict.
Jury ‘evenly split when deliberations began’
When the jury began its deliberations in Hunter Biden’s gun trial yesterday afternoon, it was split down the middle, according to reports.
Six were in favour of convicting the 54-year-old, son of US President Joe Biden, while six inclined towards a not guilty verdict, a juror told CNN.
When they returned on Tuesday morning, 11 people believed the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The jury eventually rendered a unanimous verdict to convict Hunter Biden on all three gun charges.
Weiss thanks attorney general for safeguarding ‘independence’
David Weiss concluded by thanking Merrick Garland, the attorney general, for “providing the support necessary to fulfil our mission, ensuring that we have the independence to appropriately pursue our investigations and prosecutions”.
He added: “As you know, we have additional trials and investigative work to be done. So I will not entertain questions at this time.”
Special counsel: Hunter Biden’s actions were dangerous
David Weiss, the special counsel who led the team that secured Hunter Biden’s conviction, said the trial was “not just about addiction”.
He said: “This case was about the illegal choices defendant made while in the throes of addiction, his choice to lie on a government form when he bought a gun and the choice to then possess that gun.
“It was these choices and the combination of guns and drugs that made his conduct dangerous.”
Joe Biden ‘respects the judicial process’ after son’s conviction
Joe Biden has said he “respects the judicial process” after his son, Hunter Biden, was found guilty on all counts in his gun trial.
The US President has previously ruled out a pardon for his 54-year-old son, who was convicted on charges related to his purchase of a gun in Oct 2018 while addicted to cocaine.
“Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today,” Mr Biden said in a statement.
“So many families who have had loved ones battle addiction understand the feeling of pride seeing someone you love come out the other side and be so strong and resilient in recovery.
“I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal.”
Hunter Biden now faces up to 25 years in prison, though as a first-time offender it is likely he will not serve a custodial sentence. The judge did not set a date for his sentencing, but noted such hearings usually take place within 120 days of the verdict.
His defence team had attempted to paint him as a victim of Washington politics - an approach that put him at odds with the White House, which has refuted similar claims by Donald Trump.
Trump downplays trial as ‘distraction’
Donald Trump’s campaign has claimed that Hunter Biden’s trial is a “distraction” from the “real crimes” of the Biden family.
Trump, who has launched public attacks on Joe Biden’s son since 2020, has been noticeably refrained from commenting on the trial since it began last week.
Defence tean pledges to ‘pursue all legal challenges available’
Abbe Lowell, the lawyer who acted for Hunter Biden during his gun trial, said the defence team was “naturally disappointed”.
“We respect the jury process, and as we have done throughout this case, we will continue to vigorously pursue all the legal challenges available to Hunter,” he said.
“Through all he has been through in his recovery, including this trial, Hunter has felt grateful for and blessed by the love and support of his family.”
‘It doesn’t matter who you are or what your name is’
Hunter Biden’s description of his “superpower of finding crack” cocaine was used against him by prosecutors in the opening of the federal gun trial against the US president’s son.
Mr Biden Jr, 54, pleaded not guilty to two charges of lying about his crack cocaine addiction on forms to buy a Colt Cobra .38 handgun, and one charge of possessing a firearm while using drugs.
“No one is above the law, it doesn’t matter who you are or what your name is,” prosecutor Derek Hines said as he opened the government’s case on Tuesday.
Read the full article from Rozina Sabur here.
Hunter Biden breaks silence after guilty verdict
Hunter Biden said in a statement: “I am more grateful today for the love and support I experienced this last week from Melissa [Cohen Biden, his wife], my family, my friends, and my community than I am disappointed by the outcome.
“Recovery is possible by the grace of God, and I am blessed to experience that gift one day at a time.”
Conviction ‘slows Donald Trump’s momentum’
Hunter Biden’s conviction undermines Donald Trump’s claims that he is the victim of a “weaponised” justice system, a Republican strategist has said.
The individual told NBC News: “It at a minimum slows the momentum and the clear-cut argument that the Trump campaign previously had about Biden’s weaponisation of the justice system.
“It’s less of a bumper-sticker than it was before.”
Trump has repeatedly claimed that his New York “hush money” trial was “rigged” by the White House. He was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records last month.
What did Hunter Biden do?
Hunter Biden was found guilty on three charges related to his purchase of a gun in Oct 2018 while addicted to crack cocaine.
Two of those charges stem from the fact that he stated he was not addicted to illegal drugs when he purchased the Colt Cobra revolver from a shop in Wilmington, Delaware.
He has also been convicted of owning the gun for 11 days while addicted to illegal drugs.
The first two counts carry maximum prison sentences of 10 years, while the third has a maximum of five years. He is expected to be sentenced within 120 days.
Hunter Biden found guilty on all charges in gun trial
Hunter Biden has been found guilty in a federal gun trial which laid bare humiliating details of the US president’s family drama.
The president’s son was convicted by a jury in Delaware on all three of the counts relating to buying a revolver in 2018, which the prosecution said he did while addicted to crack cocaine.
Jurors deliberated for three hours after leaving the courtroom in Wilmington on Monday afternoon.
Mr Biden kissed his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, when the verdict was announced. He walked out of court hand-in-hand with the 38-year-old and his step-mother, First Lady Jill Biden.
He did not speak to the press but is expected to issue a written statement.
Maryellen Noreika, the judge overseeing Mr Biden’s trial, did not set a date for his sentencing but said she would do so in due course. She noted that such hearings typically take place within 120 days of the verdict.
Hunter Biden smoked crack ‘every 20 minutes’ in hotels with stripper
Hunter Biden would smoke crack “every 20 minutes” during hotel hook-ups, his ex-girlfriend told his federal gun trial on Wednesday.
Zoe Kestan, 30, said she met the “charming” US president’s son when she performed a dance for him at a New York strip club in 2017.
He pulled out a pipe and began smoking crack cocaine within minutes, she told a court in Wilmington, Delaware.
She was one of three former partners of Mr Biden called by prosecutors to air embarrassing and sordid details about the Biden family at his federal trial.
Read the full story from Rozina Sabur here.
How Hunter Biden’s book returned to haunt him
Years before his trial, Hunter Biden has spoken openly in a memoir about his struggle with a crack cocaine addiction before getting clean more than five years ago.
His own words came back to haunt him, when lurid excerpts of his autobiography were played for the jury.
During the trial Mr Biden’s ex-wife and two former girlfriends testified for prosecutors about his habitual drug use and their failed efforts to help him get clean.
Mr Biden now faces a second federal trial in September on charges alleging he failed to pay at least $1.4 million (£1.1 million) in taxes over four years.
Hunter Biden’s defence ‘tried to paint him as victim of Washington’
Hunter Biden’s criminal cases have at times pitted his lawyers against the White House.
Hunter’s team has argued that his case was the result of prosecutors caving into pressure from Republicans, who claimed a tentative plea agreement for him was a “sweetheart deal”.
The plea bargain ultimately fell apart when it was scrutinised by the presiding judge in the gun trial, Maryellen Noreika, and it emerged prosecutors were unwilling to rule out bringing further charges.
Hunter’s team have attempted to paint him as the victim of Washington politics, an unhelpful argument for the White House which has refuted similar claims from Donald Trump and his allies.
White House aides have privately voiced frustration over Hunter’s claims, suggesting they have fuelled the media spotlight on a case that has been painfully personal for the president.
The humiliating details from Hunter Biden’s gun trial
Hunter Biden and the rest of the Biden family listened to humiliating details from the 54-year-old’s turbulent life over the course of his week-long trial.
The US President’s son stared down at the floor as excerpts were played out from an audiobook of his memoir, in which he detailed his “superpower” - finding crack cocaine.
Ashley Biden constantly wiped her eyes as the court heard graphic details about her half-brother’s drug use, leaving the court in tears last week.
Some details were kept out of the book. At one point, Hallie Biden - the widow of Hunter Biden’s brother, Beau - told the court that the businessman had introduced her to crack cocaine.
“It was a terrible experience that I went through, and I’m embarrassed and ashamed, and I regret that period of my life,” she said.
Kathleen Buhle, Mr Biden’s ex-wife, revealed she searched her husband’s car for drugs before their three daughters drove it. His addiction made him “angry-short-tempered”, she said.
Zoe Kestan, a stripper and yet another ex-partner to testify against Mr Biden, said he smoked crack cocaine “every 20 minutes” as they met in hotel rooms.
Biden aides: Impact on president is ‘personal, not political’
Joe Biden’s aides have described the inner turmoil the president has faced during the trial of his only surviving son.
They have argued that for Mr Biden, 81, this has been personal rather than political. The president and his wife, Jill, were said to be deeply concerned about the toll of the proceedings on Hunter.
But there is no doubt that this verdict will reverberate throughout the 2024 presidential campaign.
Republicans have made frequent reference to the president’s scandal-plagued son, and the testimony over the last week has only given them fresh ammunition.
Mr Biden’s allies, however, can argue that the conviction undercuts Donald Trump’s claims that Democrats have weaponised the justice system.
Hunter Biden introduced brother’s widow to crack cocaine, court heard
Hunter Biden introduced the widow of his military veteran brother to crack cocaine, she told his gun trial in Wilmington, Delaware.
Hallie Biden, 50, was married to Joe Biden’s eldest son, Beau, until his death from brain cancer in 2015. She later dated Hunter, 54.
On Thursday, she was called to the stand as the star witness for the government’s trial against him.
Read the full story from Rozina Sabur here.
Trial was a ‘traumatic experience for the Biden family’
This has been a traumatic experience for the Biden family, who have packed the courtroom in their hometown of Wilmington each day.
They have been forced to relive a painful chapter in the family’s history in a very public forum.
Texts Hunter sent about meeting a drug dealer named “Mookie”, topless photos of the First Son and images of drugs have all been shown in court.
At one point, Hunter’s sister, Ashley, wiped away tears as she listened to prosecutors combing through text messages between Hunter and his loved ones.
She did not return when the court returned from a break.
Hunter’s daughter, Naomi, had a bruising experience on the stand as she attempted to bolster her father’s case.
Prosecutors used texts, including one which she sent saying: “I’m really sorry dad I can’t take this”, to undercut her testimony.
Hunter looked down, head in his hands, during the testimony.
