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| Hunter Biden (Photo:Andrew Harnik/AP) |
Hunter Biden, the son of President Biden, has been indicted on felony gun charges, marking a significant development in his ongoing legal troubles. The charges, which include making false written claims and illegal possession of a firearm, are related to a firearm he purchased in 2018. This indictment sets the stage for a potential high-profile criminal trial, which could coincide with the 2024 election and impact President Biden's reelection bid.
Special counsel David Weiss, who was appointed to investigate Hunter Biden's activities, filed three counts against him. The charges stem from allegations that Biden falsely claimed he was not an unlawful user of drugs when purchasing the firearm. However, Hunter Biden's attorney, Abbe Lowell, argues that these charges are unfounded and politically motivated. Lowell claims that the charges are barred by a previous agreement made with prosecutors and that they plan to challenge the constitutionality of the statute in question.
The White House has opted not to comment on the indictment, maintaining that the investigation into Hunter Biden is an independent inquiry.
Former President Donald Trump weighed in on the news, using his newly launched social media platform to suggest that Democrats have opened a "pandora's box." However, he also acknowledged that these charges do not implicate the sitting president.
The collapse of a previously agreed-upon plea deal in July led to the indictment. Initially, Biden had agreed to plead guilty to misdemeanor offenses related to his federal income taxes and enter a pretrial diversion agreement for the felony firearm offense. However, the judge demanded clarification regarding the scope of immunity offered to Biden for his business dealings and foreign lobbying, leading to a breakdown in negotiations.
The timing of this indictment coincides with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's announcement of an impeachment inquiry into President Biden. McCarthy alleges that Biden lied to the American people about his knowledge of his family's foreign business dealings. However, no concrete evidence has been provided connecting Hunter Biden's business activities to President Biden.
Despite the lack of evidence linking the president to any financial benefits from Hunter Biden's business dealings, some Republicans are calling for a broader investigation. Rep. James Comer argues that today's charges against Hunter Biden are just the beginning and urges further scrutiny of both father and son.
As the legal proceedings continue, the implications for President Biden's political career remain uncertain. The indictment adds another layer of complexity to an already contentious political landscape and could potentially influence the outcome of the 2024 election. Only time will tell how these developments will impact both Hunter Biden's legal fate and his father's political future.
Charges against Hunter Biden
Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, could potentially face a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and fines up to $750,000 if found guilty on all charges, as per court documents.
However, it is important to note that it is uncommon for defendants to receive the maximum penalty, especially in cases involving non-violent offenses and individuals with no prior criminal record.
On Thursday, a federal grand jury in Delaware issued a three-count indictment against Hunter Biden, according to court filings.
The first count accuses Hunter Biden of making false statements on an ATF form during the purchase of the gun. Specifically, he allegedly lied about not being addicted to or using illegal drugs.
The second count argues that Hunter Biden deceived the licensed gun dealer in Wilmington by providing false information in connection with the same sworn statement on the ATF form.
Finally, the third count alleges that Hunter Biden unlawfully possessed the firearm while under the influence of drugs or struggling with addiction—a violation of federal law. He reportedly possessed the weapon for a duration of 11 days in 2018.
Serious Charges
Hunter Biden's legal troubles regarding a gun possession charge may be in serious jeopardy due to a recent ruling by an appeals court. The court declared the statute unconstitutional, raising concerns about the law's legality. The ruling, which involved a case in which a man was convicted under the same law, stated that disarming a sober citizen based solely on past drug usage is not justified. The decision by the appeals court covers three southern states and allows other defendants convicted under the law in those states to potentially challenge their convictions. However, it is important to note that this ruling does not directly affect Biden's case, as it was brought in Delaware.
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