President Biden blamed politics for his son Hunter’s conviction on federal firearms charges on Tuesday, while ignoring that his son’s lawyers helped block a sweet plea deal last summer that would have averted a criminal case.
“If I wasn’t running for reelection, he would have made a plea deal,” Biden, 81, told one aide earlier this month. According to Politico.
The outlet also reported that while President Joe Biden was in France last week to mark the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings, the president asked the family for an update on their son’s trial.
The president changed his plans after the guilty verdict and rushed to Delaware on Tuesday afternoon, where he embraced his son as reporters from the White House looked on.
Hunter, 54, was convicted by a jury on Oct. 12, 2018, of three charges related to lying about a crack cocaine addiction in order to obtain a firearm. Hunter faces up to 25 years in prison, but a sentencing date has not yet been set and he is likely to receive a lesser sentence.
Last year, court documents revealed that prosecutors led by Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss had negotiated a probation-only plea deal with Hunter’s lawyers, making it unlikely the eldest son would receive any prison time.
Hunter expected to be faced He will be on two years probation for the tax evasion offence and will agree not to possess a firearm again and abstain from drugs for at least two years.
The plans began to go awry when U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika presided over a hearing to sort out the agreement on July 26, 2023, and a rift emerged between the defense and prosecution over the extent to which Hunter should enjoy immunity.
There had been speculation that Hunter could face additional charges under the Foreign Agents Registration Act or the Mann Act, which bans the transportation of prostitutes across state lines but is rarely charged as a standalone crime.
After Noreika pointed out the flaws in the deal, Weiss’ team began the process of filing separate lawsuits against Hunter on tax and firearms charges. The tax trial is scheduled to begin in Los Angeles on September 5.
Hunter appeared largely unfazed by Tuesday’s verdict, nodding as court officials read the final “guilty” verdict.
First Lady Jill Biden, who was in the courtroom nearly every day of the trial, arrived too late to hear the verdict.
“Jill and I love our son and are proud of the man he is,” the president said in a statement after Tuesday’s sentencing, praising Hunter for overcoming his battle with drug addiction.
“I accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers his appeal. Jill and I will always offer Hunter and our entire family our love and support. No matter what, this will not change.”
President Biden has previously said he would not pardon his son.
Ironically, hours after Hunter’s conviction, President Biden spoke at Everytown for Gun Safety’s annual conference in Washington, saying families need to be “held accountable” if they don’t store their guns safely.
The Biden-Harris campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
