President Joe Biden released a statement on Monday expressing support for his son, Hunter Biden, as jury selection in the younger Biden’s federal gun trial in Delaware got underway.
The elder Biden made reference to his son’s effort to overcome drug addiction — a key factor in the felony charges at the heart of the case — and sought to emphasize his statement was a personal one as some have criticized him for previously speaking publicly about the federal investigation into Hunter Biden.
“I am the President, but I am also a Dad,” President Biden said. “Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today. Hunter’s resilience in the face of adversity and the strength he has brought to his recovery are inspiring to us. A lot of families have loved ones who have overcome addiction and know what we mean.”
“As the President, I don’t and won’t comment on pending federal cases, but as a Dad, I have boundless love for my son, confidence in him, and respect for his strength,” he added. “Our family has been through a lot together, and Jill and I are going to continue to be there for Hunter and our family with our love and support.”
Hunter Biden, 54, faces two felony gun offenses for lying on paperwork to buy a revolver in 2018 and a third for owning that firearm for 11 days while being a drug addict, according to the Department of Justice. The first son pleaded not guilty to the charges, which could land Hunter Biden in prison for up to 25 years if he is convicted.
First lady Jill Biden joined Hunter Biden and his wife, Melissa Cohen, at the courthouse in Wilmington, Delaware, for the first day of the trial. The Washington Post reported that the judge predicted jury selection could last until Wednesday and the trial is estimated to last up to two weeks.
Witnesses may include Hunter Biden’s ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle, and his late brother Beau Biden’s wife, Hallie Biden, with whom Hunter Biden had a relationship after Beau Biden died of brain cancer in 2015. Hallie Biden, whose public disposal of the gun led up to the charges, received a visit from President Biden at her home last week.
The trial in Delaware begins this week after a judge rejected Hunter Biden’s bid to delay the prosecution. Judge Maryellen Norieka also blocked an expert witness that Hunter Biden’s team hoped would testify and prevented them from using an annotated Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives form from 2021.
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In a separate case in California, Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to tax charges. The trial in California had also been scheduled for June 20 but has since been pushed back to September. The indictments in both cases, which took shape after the collapse of a plea deal last year, are spearheaded by special counsel David Weiss.
POLITICO recently cited unnamed advisers who said members of the first family are fretting how the “weight” of Hunter Biden going to trial will affect President Biden in an already difficult time politically. The report also noted that President Biden has expressed fears about the possibility that his son will end up serving prison time.