Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden’s son, faces federal indictment on charges related to gun ownership and alleged drug use, as revealed by legal records.
The Delaware federal court charged Biden on Thursday with three distinct counts connected to holding a firearm while allegedly under the influence of narcotics. The accusations highlight an instance from October 2018 when Biden allegedly falsely indicated on an official form that he was not engaged in illegal drug use while purchasing a Colt Cobra revolver. He could face up to a decade in prison for two of these counts, while the third could result in a five-year sentence. Each count also comes with a potential $250,000 fine.
This monumental case against a president’s son arises after negotiations to conclude a long-standing investigation into Hunter Biden disintegrated. This occurs concurrently as House Republicans commence an impeachment investigation targeting the financial documents of both the president and his son.
David Weiss, a special counsel and Trump-appointed U.S. attorney for Delaware, is supervising the case. His role persisted given the delicate nature of investigating a president’s family. The decision to appoint him as special counsel occurred after discussions over the aforementioned gun and tax charges collapsed.
Official statements from the White House redirected inquiries to both the Justice Department and Hunter Biden’s attorneys. Ahead of the indictment’s disclosure, Weiss chose not to comment on the matter.
Hunter Biden’s legal representative, Abbe Lowell, criticized the charges, suggesting political motivations. He believes that the allegations are undermined by previous agreements with prosecutors, legal precedent, and the actual facts. Lowell referenced potential ambiguities in the law during a CNN interview, emphasizing the unclear nature of the statute regarding possession during alleged addiction.
Initially launched in 2018, Weiss’ inquiry centered on Hunter Biden’s financial activities. In July, both parties had negotiated a plea deal. However, it began to unravel due to concerns from U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika. Discrepancies between both parties’ understanding of the agreement resulted in its collapse.
Given the absence of this plea agreement, Weiss’s team implied that other charges could arise and that the investigation was ongoing.
In response to the new charges, Lowell stressed the inconsistencies in the prosecutors’ approach. He believes Hunter Biden’s brief possession of an unloaded weapon posed no public threat. He contrasted this with what he sees as politically motivated prosecution, which he deems more detrimental to justice.
Lowell argues that a prior agreement should still be effective, potentially shielding Biden from new charges. However, prosecutors contest this viewpoint. The previous court records attribute Biden’s behavior in both tax and gun matters to struggles with substance addiction.
Separately, James Comer, R-Ky, Chair of the House Oversight Committee, expressed his views on the charges and hoped for more comprehensive action. Former President Donald Trump weighed in, emphasizing Hunter Biden’s alleged wrongdoings without implicating Joe Biden.
While the House’s inquiries into Hunter Biden’s foreign earnings during Joe Biden’s vice-presidential tenure found no conclusive evidence, the president vocally supported his son in a recent interview. He expressed confidence in his son’s integrity.
In a previous interview with CBS News in 2021, Hunter Biden stated his complete cooperation with the ongoing federal investigation and remained confident about his eventual vindication.
