In a significant development, Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, has been indicted on gun charges in the US state of Delaware.[0] This comes after a years-long investigation and marks the first-ever prosecution of a sitting president's child.[1] Federal prosecutors filed the indictment, which consists of three firearm charges, on Thursday.[2] It is worth noting that this indictment comes less than two months after an earlier plea agreement between Hunter Biden and prosecutors on tax and gun charges fell apart.
The initial agreement would have seen Biden pleading guilty to two misdemeanor charges of tax evasion and participating in a pretrial program for a gun offense, allowing him to avoid jail time.[3] However, when the deal collapsed in July, special counsel David Weiss was appointed by the Justice Department to conduct further investigations into Biden.[4]
The charges against Hunter Biden stem from allegations that he lied about his use of narcotics when purchasing a Colt Cobra handgun in October 2018. Prosecutors claim that Biden knowingly deceived a firearms dealer in Delaware by falsely stating on a federal firearms application that he was not addicted to any narcotics. The indictment also alleges that he kept the weapon during an 11-day period that same month, despite being an unlawful user of controlled substances, which is a violation of federal law.[4]
The indictment carries serious consequences for Hunter Biden, as two of the charges could result in a maximum prison sentence of 10 years, while the third charge carries a maximum of five years. There is a maximum fine of $250,000 for each count.[5] In response to the indictment, Hunter Biden's lawyer, Abbe Lowell, issued a statement asserting that the charges were not warranted and accused “MAGA Republicans” of improper and partisan interference in the legal process.[6]
The indictment comes amidst a broader political landscape where Republicans have been targeting Hunter Biden and alleging shady business dealings, particularly with Ukraine and China.[7] Former President Donald Trump has been vocal in his criticism of Hunter Biden's connections and has even encouraged the inquiry into President Biden's alleged ties to his son's business dealings. However, it is important to note that Republicans have yet to provide concrete evidence to support these claims.
The White House has maintained that it has had no involvement in Hunter Biden's alleged activities and that President Biden has not discussed the accusations against his son with the Department of Justice.[4] The Biden administration declined to comment on the indictment, referring reporters to the Department of Justice or Hunter Biden's attorneys.[4]
While the indictment is a significant development, it remains to be seen how the legal proceedings will unfold. Hunter Biden's attorneys argue that the previously signed diversion agreement in the gun case remains valid and prevents any additional charges from being filed against him.[8] It is also unclear whether the indictment will have any direct impact on President Biden or lead to an actual impeachment inquiry.[6]
As the legal process continues, the indictment against Hunter Biden raises important questions about the intersection of politics, law, and the public perception of those in power. The outcome of the case will undoubtedly have implications for the Biden administration and may shape the narrative surrounding President Biden's presidency.
0. “Hunter Biden indicted on federal gun charges: Key takeaways” Yahoo News, 14 Sep. 2023, https://news.yahoo.com/hunter-biden-indictment-federal-gun-charges-key-takeaways-190954667.html
1. “Hunter Biden indicted by special counsel on federal gun charges” The Telegraph, 14 Sep. 2023, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/09/14/hunter-biden-indicted-special-counsel-felony-gun-drug-charges
2. “Hunter Biden indicted by federal prosecutors on gun charges” ABC 10 News San Diego KGTV, 14 Sep. 2023, https://www.10news.com/hunter-biden-indicted-by-federal-prosecutors-on-gun-charge
3. “Trump-Stacked Supreme Court May Have Already Exonerated Hunter Biden” The New Republic, 6 Sep. 2023, https://newrepublic.com/post/175433/supreme-court-guns-ruling-hunter-biden
4. “Marjorie Taylor Greene Frustrated With Hunter Biden Indictment” Newsweek, 14 Sep. 2023, https://www.newsweek.com/marjorie-taylor-greene-frustrated-hunter-biden-indictment-1827173
5. “Hunter Biden indicted on federal gun charges” NBC News, 14 Sep. 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/hunter-biden-indicted-federal-gun-charges-rcna39623
6. “Double blow of inquiry and son's indictment create tough stretch for Biden” The Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2023, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/09/14/biden-indictment-impeachment-double-blows/
7. “Biden's son Hunter hit with gun charge, first for a US president's child” CNA, 14 Sep. 2023, https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/bidens-son-hunter-hit-gun-charge-first-us-presidents-child-3771701
8. “A special counsel will indict Hunter Biden in gun case this month, DOJ says” NPR, 6 Sep. 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/09/06/1197998443/hunter-biden-gun-charge-special-counsel-indictment
