President Joe Biden hugged his son Hunter Biden after he become the first offspring of a sitting US commander-in-chief to be criminally convicted, in his historic gun trial.
Hunter was found guilty on all three felony gun charges he faced, by a federal jury in Wilmington, Delaware, on Tuesday morning.
Coming to a verdict over a quick two days, the jury concluded that Hunter violated laws preventing drug addicts from purchasing and owning firearms.
He faces up to 25 years in prison and up to a $750,000 fine when he is sentenced.
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Hours after the verdict, the president flew to Wilmington, which was not previously on his schedule.
The president closed his eyes as he embraced his son on the tarmac at Delaware Air National Guard base.
Hunter, his wife Melissa Cohen Biden and his son Beau walked together on the tarmac shortly before 5pm to greet the president, who kissed Beau on the head.
The family spoke for a few minutes before Hunter, his wife and child got into a different vehicle.
Special counsel David Weiss, who is overseeing the investigation, said that ‘no one in this country is above the law’.
‘Everyone must be accountable for their actions, even this defendant,’ he said.
‘However, Hunter Biden should be no more accountable than any other citizen convicted of this same conduct. The prosecution has been and will continue to be committed to this principle.’
Weiss added that there is ‘additional trials and investigative work to be done’.
What did Hunter Biden do?
Hunter, 54, was accused of buying and possessing a gun while being addicted or abusing drugs, which violates federal law.
The first two charges were linked to the gun purchase. Hunter lied on forms with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that require gun purchasers to affirm they are legally allowed to buy firearms.
And the third count surrounds federal law prohibiting gun possession for individuals abusing drugs. Hunter had a gun for 11 days in October 2018 before his girlfriend threw it away while concerned about his mental health, according to court documents.
The first son has opened up about his struggles with crack cocaine and alcohol addiction, but pleaded not guilty to all three charges.
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Will Hunter Biden go to jail?
While Hunter faces up to a quarter century behind bars, he is likely to receive less time than the maximum because he is a first-time offender.
Hunter was not expected to speak to reporters, but will release a statement on his verdict.
He is likely to file an appeal but could face financial constraints.
‘It’s not just these criminal trials that he’s facing,’ said CNN chief legal affairs correspondent Paula Reid. ‘He and his lawyers are pursuing this very aggressive litigious campaign against his detractors. They have a lot of civil lawsuits that are costing them money.’
What did Joe Biden say about his son’s conviction?
The president issued a brief statement after Hunter’s guilty verdict.
‘As I said last week, I am the President, but I am also a Dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today,’ stated Biden.
‘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.’
He reiterated that he will not pardon his son.
‘As I also said last week, I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal,’ he stated. ‘Jill and I will always be there for Hunter and the rest of our family with our love and support. Nothing will ever change that.’
Hours after the verdict, the president spoke at the Everytown for Gun Safety event in Washington, DC.
Biden did not mention his son’s conviction while delivering remarks. He touted his administration’s measures to strengthen the nation’s gun laws and boost penalties for violators.
The president was set to travel to Wilmington after the gun safety event, which he was not originally scheduled to do.
Has Donald Trump said anything on Hunter Biden’s conviction?
Donald Trump, who became the first former US president to be a convicted felon less than two weeks ago in his hush money trial, did not immediately comment on Hunter’s conviction.
But the Trump campaign called the verdict a ‘distraction’ from more alleged corruption.
‘This trial has been nothing more than a distraction from the real crimes of the Biden Crime Family, which has raked in tens of millions of dollars from China, Russia and Ukraine,’ stated Trump campaign press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
‘Crooked Joe Biden’s reign over the Biden Family Criminal Empire is all coming to an end on November 5th, and never again will a Biden sell government access for personal profit.’
Did Joe and Jill Biden attend Hunter’s gun trial?
The president did not attend his son’s gun trial. First Lady Jill Biden left D-Day commemorations in France early to attend her step-son’s trial last week.
Jill missed the guilty verdict on Tuesday, and entered the courtroom as Hunter and his lawyers were huddled and discussing how to proceed.
Throughout Hunter’s trial, his wife Melissa Cohen Biden has accompanied him, and family members have shown up to support including the president’s brother James Biden and sister Valerie Owens Biden, and Hunter’s sister Ashley Biden.
US District Judge Maryellen Noreika did not immediately set a date for Hunter’s sentencing.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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