Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, arrives at federal court with his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, on the opening day of his trial on firearms charges in Wilmington, Delaware, June 3, 2024.
Kevin Lamarck | Reuters
President Joe Biden expressed love and support Monday morning for his only surviving son, Hunter Biden, as he faces the start of his federal trial on gun crime charges.
“I am a president, but I am also a father,” former Vice President Biden said in a statement as jury selection began in the trial held in the U.S. District Court in Delaware.
Hunter Biden, 54, faces three charges related to purchasing and possessing a Colt Cobra revolver while high on drugs in 2018. The trial is expected to last two weeks.
The trial begins just four days after a New York jury found Republican former President Donald Trump, now the party’s presumptive nominee, guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records.
Both Trump and Hunter Biden claim they were unfairly targeted by the Justice Department for political reasons.
President Biden said he and first lady Jill Biden “love our son and are so proud of who he is today.”
The first lady appeared in court Monday to support her stepson, who is the first child of a sitting president to stand trial on criminal charges.
U.S. First Lady Jill Biden arrives at the federal courthouse on the day of the trial of Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, on gun charges in Wilmington, Delaware, June 3, 2024.
Kevin Lamarck | Reuters
“As president, I do not and will not comment on pending federal cases,” Joe Biden said. “But as a father, I have infinite love and confidence in my son and respect for his strength.”
Hunter Biden faces a second trial on federal tax charges in September.
“Hunter’s resilience in the face of adversity and the strength he brought to recovery is an inspiration to us,” the president said. “Many of our families have loved ones who have overcome addiction and know what we mean.”
Hunter Biden’s history of substance abuse is at the heart of the Delaware case.
“Our family has been through a lot together, and Jill and I will continue to be there for Hunter and our family with our love and support,” Biden said.
Trump’s historic conviction came on a day when Biden, Hunter Biden and the first lady all gathered to honor the president’s son, Beau Biden, who died of brain cancer in 2015 at age 46.
This is developing news. Please check back for updates.
