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WILMINGTON, Del. — The federal firearms case against Hunter Biden in Delaware began Monday morning, with jury selection marking the first step in the process.
President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, is facing three charges related to possessing a gun while under the influence of drugs. He has pleaded not guilty.
First Lady Jill Biden was in court on Monday morning, marking the first time that a descendant of a sitting president has faced a criminal trial.
Joe Biden made a statement at the start of the trial.
“I’m a president, but I’m also a father. Jill and I love our son and are so proud of the man he has become,” he said. “Hunter’s resilience in the face of adversity and the strength he has brought to his recovery are inspiring to us. Many of our families have loved ones who have overcome addiction and know exactly what we’re talking about.”
The start of the trial comes days after former President Donald Trump, who faces Hunter Biden’s father in November, was found guilty of all 34 charges in a criminal trial in New York state court.
U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika said she plans to call 50 potential jurors at a time until she finds 12 who she says can make an impartial decision on the president’s son.
According to court documents, some of the questions she plans to ask potential jurors in Wilmington include, “Do your views regarding the 2024 election or presidential candidates prevent you from being a fair and impartial juror in this case?” and “Do you believe that Robert Hunter Biden is being charged in this case because his father is the president of the United States and he is a presidential candidate?” as well as, “Do you believe he has not been charged with other crimes because his father is the president of the United States?”
The president’s conservative critics have long tried to use his son’s legal troubles against him. He has denied having any involvement in his legal or business affairs, and the Republican-led impeachment inquiry has failed to find evidence of wrongdoing by him.
Other questions about jurors’ views on guns included, “Do you believe that everyone should be able to legally purchase or possess a gun, regardless of whether they have a history or current use of controlled substances?” and “Do you believe the government cannot require background checks to purchase a gun?”
Two of the charges accuse Hunter Biden of filling out paperwork stating he was not using illegal drugs when he purchased a Colt Cobra revolver in October 2018. The third charge alleges he possessed a firearm while using drugs. According to the indictment, Hunter Biden certified on federally required paperwork that he was “not an unlawful user of, or an addict to, any stimulants, narcotics or other controlled substances, when in fact he knew the statements were false and fictitious.”
Prosecutors from Special Counsel David Weiss’s office have said they plan to call about a dozen witnesses, including Hunter Biden’s ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle, and his late brother’s widow, Hallie Olivia Biden.
Prosecutors are also expected to introduce as evidence excerpts from Hunter Biden’s memoir, “Beautiful Things,” as well as summaries of data from his phone and iPad.
Hunter Biden’s lawyer, Abe Lowell, has said he wants to call a gun store owner and two or three experts as witnesses, though Weiss’s office has disputed the testimony of some of the experts.
The judge, who was appointed by President Trump, said the trial is expected to last two weeks.
Judge Noreika ruled in May that prosecutors could not mention Hunter Biden’s other pending case in California, where he faces nine tax-related charges. He has pleaded not guilty and his trial is scheduled to begin on September 5.
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