For the first time, a sitting President’s son has been convicted of a felony in a criminal trial.
A federal jury in Delaware on Tuesday found Hunter Biden guilty for lying about his drug use when buying a gun in 2018. Prosecutors had presented the jury with photos, testimony and messages that showed Biden had a .38 caliber Colt Cobra revolver for about 11 days during a period he had previously acknowledged he had been struggling with drug addiction.
A federal jury in Delaware on Tuesday found Hunter Biden guilty for lying about his drug use when buying a gun in 2018. Prosecutors had presented the jury with photos, testimony and messages that showed Biden had a .38 caliber Colt Cobra revolver for about 11 days during a period he had previously acknowledged he had been struggling with drug addiction.
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00:00Earlier today, Hunter Biden was convicted of two counts of lying on a form submitted to a federal firearms dealer about his addiction or use of crack cocaine and possessing a firearm while a user or addict.
00:17There have been two overarching themes emphasized by the prosecution during trial.
00:23This defendant's illegal choices and the rule of law.
00:27First, while there has been much testimony about the defendant's abuse of drugs and alcohol, ultimately, this case was not just about addiction, a disease that haunts families across the United States, including Hunter Biden's family.
00:46This case was about the illegal choices defendant made while in the throes of addiction, his choice to lie on a government form when he bought a gun and the choice to then possess that gun.
00:58It was these choices and the combination of guns and drugs that made his conduct dangerous.
01:06Second, no one in this country is above the law.
01:10Everyone must be accountable for their actions, even this defendant.
01:15However, Hunter Biden should be no more accountable than any other citizen convicted of this same conduct.
01:24The prosecution has been and will continue to be committed to this principle and to the principles of federal prosecution in carrying out its responsibilities.
01:37I want to thank the jury for their service.
01:40There are few civic responsibilities more important than jury service.
01:45Fifteen Delawareans came to court each day and performed their responsibilities in a professional and conscientious manner.
01:53We thank them.
01:55I want to thank Derek Hines, Leo Wise, and the entire special counsel team.
02:01I am so proud of this group of attorneys, agents and litigation professionals.
02:07This is a difficult assignment.
02:10These folks have been working seven days a week for the last couple of months, litigating a variety of issues in district and appellate courts on two coasts.
02:20They have given their heart and soul to this work.
02:23They represent the best that public service has to offer.
02:27I am incredibly grateful.
02:30Finally, I want to thank Attorney General Garland for providing the support necessary to fulfill our mission, ensuring that we have the independence to appropriately pursue our investigations and prosecutions.
02:44As you know, we have additional trials and investigative work to be done, so I will not entertain questions at this time.
02:53Our work continues.