Hunter Biden’s Legal Battle
Hunter Biden, 53, pleaded not guilty in a Delaware court on Tuesday to three felony charges related to him lying about his drug use when purchasing a gun in 2018.
First-Ever Criminal Prosecution
It is the first-ever criminal prosecution of a sitting U.S. President’s child.
Unraveling of a ‘Sweetheart’ Plea Deal
The hearing follows the unraveling of a plea deal in July that would have seen Hunter avoid punishment on the felony charge of lying on a form to buy a firearm.
Hunter’s Guilty Plea and Appearance
Hunter Biden, 53, was all smiles when departing a Delaware courthouse on Tuesday after pleading not guilty to lying about his continued crack cocaine use when buying a handgun in 2018.
President’s Troubled Son
The appearance and guilty plea comes after what Republicans called a ‘sweetheart’ plea deal – that would have seen Joe Biden’s son avoid jail time – collapsed this summer.
The judge also revealed the president’s troubled son has submitted to multiple random drug tests, and has been negative each time.
Impact on Biden’s Re-Election
The case is the first-ever criminal prosecution of a sitting U.S. president’s child and looks set to overshadow Biden’s run for re-election.
Allegations of Political Pressure
Hunter, who showed up to court with a fresh buzz cut on Tuesday, was charged last month by U.S. Special Counsel David Weiss with three felony counts related to lying on the federal form.
His attorney Abbe Lowell claimed on Tuesday the charges were a result of ‘political pressure’.
Challenges to the Charges
Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Weiss to the case amid objections from Republican lawmakers.
Hunter’s lawyers accuse prosecutors of breaking the agreement, insisting in court filings that they believe it remains in effect and their recovering addict client continues to comply with it.
Accusations and Investigations
Republicans have been unrelenting in their attacks against Hunter Biden – claiming that President Biden is at least somewhat involved in some of his son’s wrongdoing.
They accuse Hunter, who has worked as a lobbyist, lawyer, investment banker, and artist, of wrongdoing relating to business with Ukraine and China.
Hunter’s Personal Struggles
In his 2021 memoir “Beautiful Things,” Hunter describes he relapsed in his addiction recovery in 2018 – the same year that he purchased the firearm.
He wrote about being in Los Angeles at the time and using ‘my superpower’ to ‘find crack anytime, anywhere’ from dangerous characters.
Second Amendment Implications
Some legal experts suggest that firearms charges against the younger Biden could be challenged all the way up to the Supreme Court after it ruled last year to expand Second Amendment gun rights.