President Biden celebrated Hunter Biden’s birthday at a trendy Los Angeles hotspot on Sunday, even as his scandal-hit eldest son faces numerous weapons fraud and tax evasion charges.
Mr Biden and others were photographed hugging outside The Ivy, an upscale restaurant in Beverly Hills popular with Hollywood stars, where they dined for Mr Hunter’s 54th birthday.
Hunter’s 3-year-old son Beau Biden also joined in, holding his father’s hand while his grandfather bent down to kiss his son.
President Biden was visiting California with First Lady Jill Biden during his re-election campaign.
The president has supported his son even though the federal charges tainted his campaign.
Hunter Biden is awaiting trial on a felony firearms charge in Delaware, as well as nine charges related to tax evasion in Southern California.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
In a flurry of motions filed Tuesday, Hunter’s lawyers asked a federal judge in the firearms case to drop the charges against him. They argued for dismissal based on four grounds, including that the accusations were politically motivated, according to the filing.
The allegations stem from Hunter’s purchase of a Colt Cobra .38 SPL revolver while he was addicted to crack cocaine and lying about the drugs, and Hunter tried to convince District Judge Maryellen Noreika to drop the case. It was filed after Special Councilor David Weiss’ Jan. 16 rebuttal to the first attempt. use.
The eldest son was initially expected to receive full immunity protection under a plea deal reached with federal prosecutors, but that agreement collapsed in a Delaware court in July.
In December, Hunter was indicted on nine charges, including three felonies, for allegedly evading more than $1 million in taxes over four years while living a “lavish” life of partying. It was done.
Mr. Hunter is scheduled to stand trial in two separate cases. He could face up to 25 years in prison on the weapons charge and up to 17 years on the felony tax evasion charge.
