Hunter Biden gun trial: Opening statements expected Tuesday

WILMINGTON, Del. (NewsNation) – Opening statements are set to begin Tuesday in the federal gun case against President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden.

The younger Biden was accused of lying on a federal form when he purchased a .38-caliber Colt Cobra Special in 2018. Hunter Biden falsely said he was not a drug user, despite being addicted to cocaine at the time. He has since pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.

Hunter Biden Trial: Jury Selection

A jury was seated Monday after potential speakers were asked about their thoughts on gun rights and drug addiction as the first lady watched from the front row of the courtroom. The jurors – six men and six women, plus four women acting as alternates – were instructed by Judge Maryellen Noreika not to talk or read about the case.

This is the first time that the son of a sitting president has been prosecuted by the same president’s Department of Justice.

President Joe Biden said Monday that as president he would not comment on the criminal trial, but as a father he has “boundless love for my son, trust in him and respect for his strength.”

“I am the president, but I am also a father. Jill and I love our son and are so proud of the man he is today. Hunter’s resilience in the face of adversity and the strength he brought to his recovery are inspiring to us. Many families have loved ones who have overcome addiction and know what we mean. As president, I do not and will not comment on pending federal cases, but as a father, I have boundless love for my son, trust in him, and respect for his strength. Our family has been through a lot together, and Jill and I will continue to support Hunter and our family with our love and support.”

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN

Hunter Biden Accusations

Hunter Biden faces three felonies stemming from the purchase of a firearm in 2018, when he was, according to his memoirs, at the height of his crack addiction. He was accused of lying to a federally licensed gun dealer, making a false statement on the app used to screen firearm applicants when he said he was not a drug user, and possessing the gun illegally for 11 days.

He has pleaded not guilty and argued that he is being unfairly targeted by the Justice Department after Republicans condemned a now-defunct plea deal as special treatment for the Democratic president’s son.

The trial comes just days after Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee for 2024, was convicted of 34 crimes in New York City. A jury found the former president guilty of a scheme to cover up a secret payment to a porn star to prevent damage to his 2016 presidential campaign. The two criminal cases are unrelated, but their proximity underscores how the criminal court has taken center stage. of attention during the 2024 campaign.

Hunter Biden also faces a separate trial in California in September on charges of failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes. Both cases should have been resolved through a deal with prosecutors last July, the culmination of a years-long investigation into his dealings.

Hunter Biden trial begins

The trial begins nearly a year after U.S. District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika raised concerns about the plea agreement that would have spared Hunter Biden any prison time.

Lead prosecutor David Weiss said “political considerations” played no role in the investigation. He told lawmakers behind closed doors last year that no one at the Justice Department stopped him from pursuing the charges.

If Hunter Biden were convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison, though first-time offenders typically don’t get anywhere near the maximum and it’s unclear whether the judge would give him time behind bars.

Rich Johnson of the Associated Press and NewsNation contributed to this report