US President Joe Biden has affirmed his respect for a jury’s decision to find his son guilty of gun crimes, following a week-long trial that revealed challenges faced by the family.
Hunter Biden, aged 54, was found guilty by a 12-person jury of lying about his drug use on a form while purchasing a handgun in 2018. This conviction, involving three felony counts, represents the first criminal prosecution of a sitting president’s child and could result in jail time for Hunter Biden.
President Biden, amidst his campaign for re-election in November, expressed his parental pride and acceptance of the case’s outcome. Although he did not attend the trial in Delaware, he greeted and embraced his son upon arrival in Wilmington after the verdict.
“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,” said Mr. Biden in a statement. He affirmed his commitment to respecting the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal.
The trial exposed embarrassing details about Hunter Biden’s drug use, including testimonies from his ex-wife and former girlfriend. While Republicans viewed the verdict as a step towards accountability, Democrats criticized their response as hypocritical, citing disparities in reactions to the legal proceedings involving Trump’s son and the Bidens.
The President had previously ruled out pardoning his son, emphasizing the need to uphold accountability and the rule of law.
