Jury selected as Day 1 of Hunter Biden gun trial wraps

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, departed the Delaware courthouse after a jury of 12 was selected to ultimately decide his fate in his federal gun crime trial.

Judge Maryellen Noreika instructed the jury not to talk about the case and to keep an open mind.

She also suggested opening statements will begin Tuesday morning. First Lady Jill Biden, celebrating her 73rd birthday on Monday, was present in the courtroom to support her stepson.

During the selection process almost all of the potential jurors said they know someone who has been or currently experiencing substance abuse and or addiction. Almost every potential juror has said they have heard about the case in the news.

The jury of 12 is made up of 3 black women and 3 white women, 4 black men and 2 white men.

Opening statements will be the first order of business in court Tuesday at 9:00 a.m.

The first son faces charges of making false statements in the purchase of a firearm, as well as possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.

With all counts combined, the total maximum prison time for the charges could be up to 25 years. Each count carries a maximum fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release. 

Judge Noreika is now allowing prosecutors and defense attorneys to strike jurors from the pool to whittle the final number down to 12, with 4 alternates.

Prosecutors get 6 strikes and the defense gets 10. Neither side has to give a reason for the strikes. Each side also gets two strikes from the alternates.

Then the final jury of 12 plus four alternates will be seated.

It looks likely that the jury will be seated by the end of the day, with opening statements first thing Tuesday morning.

Fox News' Bill Mears contributed to this update.

Fox News legal editor Kerri Urbahn tells ‘The Story’ that a plea deal would have been in ‘Hunter’s best interest’ in the ‘open and shut’ gun case.

"I think it would have been in Hunter's best interest to plead out to this given that it's a pretty open and shut case," Urbahn said. "By his own admission he was a drug user during the time he purchased this gun, we know that from his book. The prosecution says they have ample evidence of videos and photos and the like from his infamous laptop that show the same. It's a pretty simple case."

Urbahn also noted the significance of First Lady Jill Biden attending the first day of the trial.

"I'll tell you what surprises me the most, it's not the fact that he decided not to do a guilty plea, it's the fact that Jill Biden is sitting there during jury selection, and that's remarkable," Urbahn said. "Think about if you're a juror, sitting there, you're looking at Hunter Biden, thinking about the ramifications of this case, and then the first lady is sitting there in the front row watching you as you do that. That's definitely a message from the White House."

Bill Hennessy

There are now 36 potential jurors in the poll for the trial against Hunter Biden. Judge Noreika will now allow the prosecution and defense to move to preemptory strikes. It's unclear how long that process will take.

The goal is to narrow the pool to 12 jurors with 4 alternates.  

Juror 63 is a woman in the alternate pool and told the court she donated to Donald Trump in 2016.  

Juror 65 is a woman in the alternate pool and told the court she donated to the Barack Obama campaign. 

The first son faces charges of making false statements in the purchase of a firearm, as well as possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.

With all counts combined, the total maximum prison time for the charges could be up to 25 years. Each count carries a maximum fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release. 

Fox News' Jake Gibson, Aubrey Spady and David Spunt contributed to this update.

President Biden’s son Hunter Biden is slated to face an historic trial in Delaware on Monday, when prosecutors are expected to dive into the first son’s crack cocaine addiction and his purchase of a handgun. 

Biden’s trial began Monday in a federal court in Wilmington, Delaware, where he faces three felony firearm offenses regarding the 2018 purchase of a .38 revolver from a gun shop in the state. Biden has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The charges include: false statement in purchase of a firearm; false statement related to information required to be kept by federal firearms licensed dealer; possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.

The total maximum prison time for the charges could be up to 25 years. Each count carries a maximum fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release. 

Fox News contributor and legal analyst Jonathan Turley said Monday that the jury pool in the Biden family's hometown of Wilmington, Delaware was "great" for Hunter Biden.

Turley told Fox News' "America Reports" that because of the hometown aspect of the case, he predicted the best strategy for the defense would be to aim for jury nullification, of when a jury returns a not guilty verdict despite believing the defendant actually committed a crime.

"There is no other defense I can see out of these facts. [Hunter] has tried various defenses, and they've collapsed," Turley said.

"This is the hometown of the Bidens, and they may be hoping for a type of jury nullification. This is the opposite of Manhattan. This is a great jury pool for the defendant."

Bill Hennessy

The trial of first son Hunter Biden is back in session after a brief lunch break Monday afternoon. First Lady Jill Biden was seen reentering the courtroom. She is celebrating her 73rd birthday today.

Based on the pace of the proceedings, jury selection is likely to be completed today, with opening statements to begin Tuesday morning.

Fox News' Bill Mears contributed to this update.

AP Photos

I do not begrudge Hunter’s having his [stepmother] attend the trial. I have tried a million cases in which the defendant has had a spouse, a loving parent, and even young children in attendance. As a human being, it always made me feel bad to have to say terrible things about the defendant in front of his family; but as a professional litigator, you have to put that aside. 

After all, trials are almost never about frivolous things; they are about things that can have great impact on one’s loved ones. And one of the great things about our tradition is that we have public trials, so the defendant’s loved ones are entitled to attend.Politically, I think this is a mixed bag for the Bidens. FLOTUS wants to show support, which is fine. But it will probably also occur to the jury that the time Hunter could have used family support of this kind is when he was doing the things that have landed him in court.

-- Andrew McCarthy, former assistant U.S. attorney and FNC contributor

Bill Hennessy

There are now have 34 in the jury pool, with 0 still officially selected as court breaks for lunch until 2:45 p.m.

Judge Noreika moved to selecting alternates; 4 are required. Once the pool narrows to 36, there will be preemptory strikes. It's unclear how long that process will take. The trial could go into opening arguments today, but the judge has not made any comments on scheduling.

First Lady Jill Biden was seen leaving the courthouse for the break.

The first son faces charges of making false statements in the purchase of a firearm, as well as possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.

With all counts combined, the total maximum prison time for the charges could be up to 25 years. Each count carries a maximum fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release. 

Fox News Digital's Anders Hagstrom and Aubrie Spady contributed to this report.

If convicted and sentenced to the maximum amount of jail time, Hunter Biden is facing 42 years of imprisonment combined on both his tax and gun charges.

Biden is facing a max of 17 years in prison and $1.2 million in fines on his tax charges.

Additionally, the president's son faces a maximum of 25 years in prison and $750,000 in fines on the federal gun charges in the trial that began on Monday.

"I am the President, but I am also a Dad,” President Biden said in a statement on Monday. “Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today. Hunter’s resilience in the face of adversity and the strength he has brought to his recovery are inspiring to us.”

“A lot of families have loved ones who have overcome addiction and know what we mean. As the President, I don’t and won’t comment on pending federal cases, but as a Dad, I have boundless love for my son, confidence in him, and respect for his strength. Our family has been through a lot together, and Jill and I are going to continue to be there for Hunter and our family with our love and support."

Bill Hennessy

Of the initial 250 juror prospects, 25 have moved on to the jury pool, 15 have been dismissed. While there are still 0 jurors officially seated, the process is fast-moving. Last week, the judge said the pool would narrow to 36, and then they will move to strikes from both the prosecution and defense.

While it's unlikely, jury selection could be finalized this afternoon, and the trial could move into opening statements later in the day.

Defense attorney Abbe Lowell asked about a potential lunch break but Judge Noreika didn't indicate there would be one.

Out of all of the potential jurors who have gone through so far, almost all of them have said they know someone who has been or currently experiencing substance abuse and or addiction.

Fox News' Jake Gibson and James Levinson contributed to this update.

A top Democrat claimed Monday that conservatives "would be up in arms" over the gun charges facing Hunter Biden if they were brought up "against anybody else."

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., made the comments to Fox News' Hilary Vaughn, who pressed him over whether the case against Hunter was political persecution, or the justice system working as it should.

"A special council was appointed, and that was special counsel who was named by Donald Trump," Raskin said. "I know Hunter Biden has said that he's been treated differently than other people who have been accused of these gun charges."

"I know a lot of my conservative friends would be up in arms about these charges against anybody else, but they support them against Hunter Biden. My feeling is let's let the rule of law and the justice system take it's own course," he added.

Vaughn noted the charges against Hunter carried a possible 25-year prison sentence, and asked Raskin if he felt he should go to prison if convicted.

"Oh that's not a decision for me or any other citizen, that's for the justice system to work out," he responded, adding that the same should be the case for former President Trump in his conviction last week.

When asked if he would support President Biden pardoning Hunter, Raskin laughed and said, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

Jury selection in the Hunter Biden trial is ongoing, the court taking a 10-minute break in the early afternoon.

No jurors are yet seated. Four more jurors are left in the pool to undergo the selection process. Judge Noreika said it's possible a full jury could be seated today.

Currently in the pool is a woman who said she has strong feelings about the case, and has also followed the separate tax evasion case against the president's son. She was also aware of the attempted bargain that fell through with the prosecution and Hunter Biden and understands that's why we are here today. She said that she could be fair and impartial based on what she knew.

Her feelings about guns were that there should be background checks and limits on access for assault rifles. The judge kept her in the pool over objections from the defense on impartiality grounds.

Also in the pool is a former Delaware police officer who said he believed the FBI prosecutes over politics and specifically mentioned the Steele Dossier and the trial against former President Donald Trump in New York. He said he once supported a candidate that challenged Beau Biden in the race for attorney general.

Another potential juror in the pool testified that they own four firearms and have concealed carry permits in three states. 

Almost every juror has said they have heard about the case in the news. 

Fox News' Aubrie Spady and James Levinson contributed to this update.

POLITICS

Biden calls son Hunter's 'resilience' amid gun trial charges 'inspiring'

President Biden rallied behind his son, Hunter, who is facing federal gun charges. Trial proceedings began Monday morning with jury selection.

President Joe Biden issued a statement as his son, Hunter Biden, faces trial over federal gun charges, calling his "resilience … inspiring to us."

"I am the President, but I am also a Dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today. Hunter’s resilience in the face of adversity and the strength he has brought to his recovery are inspiring to us," the president's statement read."

A lot of families have loved ones who have overcome addiction and know what we mean. As the President, I don’t and won’t comment on pending federal cases, but as a Dad, I have boundless love for my son, confidence in him, and respect for his strength. Our family has been through a lot together, and Jill and I are going to continue to be there for Hunter and our family with our love and support."

Fox News' Jamie Joseph contributed to this report.

Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia said Monday morning that Hunter Biden's federal gun charges are "not comparable" to former President Donald Trump's criminal conviction in New York.

"Whatever crimes he may have committed, he should be held accountable for that," Garcia told reporters. "Hunter Biden was not elected official and surely not the president of the United States, and is not comparable to the multiple crimes that clearly Donald Trump has committed."

"I think that we all agree that Hunter's made some mistakes," Garcia continued. "He's got to be held accountable, so I don't think it has anything to do with the election for president."

Garcia said Hunter's trial is "very narrow" that relates to "specific charges" pertaining to his handling of firearms.

"He's not the President of the United States," he said.

Fox News' Brianna O'Neil contributed to this report.

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

First Lady Jill Biden and other family members are in the courtroom viewing the proceedings as potential jurors are being questioned.

Hunter Biden, appearing attentive, is wearing a dark suit and orange reading glasses as he watches potential jurors answer questions.

Jill Biden, who is wearing a bright purple suit, Ashley Biden and Melissa Cohen are all sitting in the front row, in that order, and have been huddling among themselves, whispering.

They appear to be taking notes, with Ashley Biden appearing expressive and nodding while potential jurors answer questions. She smiled when juror #5 said she and her husband worked for the Secret Service.

At the start of the proceedings, Hunter greeted his mother with a joke, according to the Washington Post.

"Happy Birthday," he reportedly said. "I got you a special event."

The two then reportedly laughed.

Fox News' Aubrie Spady contributed to this report.

Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., argued the Hunter Biden trial is more cut and dry than the case against former President Donald Trump.

"Unlike the case against Trump, no legal sourcery [SIC] was required: lying about drug use on a background check is pretty clear cut," Collins said.

Collins also questioned whether Democrats would accept a guilty verdict against the president's son, noting the reactions Trump's guilty verdict has garnered from many members of the party.

"Will Dems stick to the 'no one is above the law' talkers?" Collins said. "Is Hunter the sacrificial lamb to make it look like they are playing fair?"

Biden is charged with making a false statement while purchasing a firearm and possession of a firearm by a person is in an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.

Trump was convicted on all 34 felony counts over claims the former president falsified business records in order to cover up an affair with adult actress Stormy Daniels.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., claimed the Hunter Biden trial highlights the difference between Republicans and Democrats, arguing that Democrats are not treating the Biden trial as a "farce."

"Hunter Biden's not running for President Donald Trump's running for president? But look, that's the perfect example. Democrats are not out there, saying that Hunter Biden's trial is a farce. It's a fraud. It's rigged. We're not attacking the justice system," Raskin said. "They do that because of the extraordinary cognitive dissonance that a party which claims to be representing religious piety has wrapped itself around in an adjudicated sexual assailant and fraudster who just got convicted by a jury of his peers for paying $130,000 In hush money to a porn star right after his fifth child was born. That's where their party is."

Raskin also took aim at former President Donald Trump, arguing Trump has no right to attach the justice system.

"One thing that's intolerable is the ex president's attacks on the justice system. He's had every benefit of the justice system he's had every right that people are entitled to, in our legal process. He had the presumption of innocence. He had the right to very high priced counsel, he had the right to testify and tell people why it was all a lie. But he didn't testify. He refused to take the stand," Raskin said. "And now he's availing himself of the right to appeal, apparently, and he's got every right to do that, but you should stop attacking the American justice system, especially if he wants to be president United States."

Getty Images

President Biden said in a statement on Monday before his son Hunter’s federal gun crime trial began that he doesn’t comment on pending federal cases a year after commenting on the case by saying his son has “done nothing wrong.”

"My son has done nothing wrong," Biden declared in a rare sit-down interview in May 2023.

"I trust him. I have faith in him, and it impacts my presidency by making me feel proud of him.”

On Monday, Biden said, "As the President, I don't and won't comment on pending federal cases, but as a Dad, I have boundless love for my son, confidence in him, and respect for his strength.”

President Biden is scheduled to spend most of Monday in Wilmington, where jury selection for Hunter's trial is currently underway. Over the last month, the father-son duo have been spotted together on several occasions and were most recently seen cycling together along a trail in Rehoboth Beach on Saturday. Last month, they attended a White House state dinner for Kenya and last week they were seen commemorating the ninth anniversary of Beau Biden's death at church.

The first son faces charges of making false statements in the purchase of a firearm, as well as possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.

With all counts combined, the total maximum prison time for the charges could be up to 25 years. Each count carries a maximum fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release. 

Fox News Digital’s Jamie Joseph and Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., on Sunday defended President Biden's past comment that his son, Hunter Biden, "did nothing wrong." 

Jeffries' remarks came a day before the scheduled beginning of jury selection in the federal gun case against Hunter – and just days after former President Trump, President Biden's main election opponent, was convicted on 34 counts following the hush-money trial brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. 

"President Biden commented as a loving father, as I would hope any loving father would do. Hunter Biden, of course, is entitled, as was Donald Trump, to the presumption of innocence and to a trial by a jury of his peers," Jeffries said during an appearance on NBC’s "Meet the Press." "And this Justice Department is going to proceed in that fashion, present the facts and the law and then we’ll all have to wait for a determination that is made by a jury as to Hunter Biden’s guilt or innocence." 

Here is how the initial jury selection process is expected to work: All potential jurors will be told not to read or watch anything about the case in the media, along with other rules.

The potential jurors will be brought in groups of 50, and will be asked what they may know already about the case, if they know anyone involved in the case—including any of the lawyers—and about general things like illegal drugs, politics, and law enforcement.

Those who say they have will be questioned further by the judge who would seek more specifics.

Those in the initial stage of voir dire who answer they cannot be impartial will likely be dismissed.

The process will be trimmed down to about 36 potential jurors, when both the government and defense would then offer preementive strikes.

The final jury will be set with 12, plus four alternates. The process could last as long as several days.

Fox News' Bill Mears contributed to this update.

Attorney Greg Jarrett slammed Hunter Biden's "crazy" defense on Fox & Friends Monday morning, saying what would otherwise be a "a slam dunk" trial could face an uphill battle in the progressive state's courtroom.

"The best witness against Hunter Biden is Hunter Biden," Jarrett said. "I mean, [he] wrote a book explaining in detail how he was a drug addict and the exact time that he bought a gun and then allegedly lied about it, so he incriminated himself, and it was incredibly foolish to cash in by peddling a book about your addiction when you know you're under criminal investigation for an addiction related crime."

Jarrett said Hunter's main defense hinges on denial of addiction and rehab, with a backup defense of being too strung out to intend wrongdoing. His defense may also attempt to challenge the Second Amendment, despite his father's advocacy for stricter gun laws.

"His dad is on record railing against the Second Amendment," Jarrett said. "And arguing strict gun laws should always be enforced, except for you know, maybe against my own son. So it's a crazy defense."

The trial stems from federal gun charges brought against him by special counsel David Weiss. Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to federal gun charges in U.S. District Court for Delaware after Weiss charged him with making a false statement in the purchase of a firearm; making a false statement related to information required to be kept by a licensed firearm dealer; and one count of possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance. 

With all counts combined, the total maximum prison time for the charges could be up to 25 years. Each count carries a maximum fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release. 

Fox News' Brooke Singman contributed to this report.

Zoe Kestan is a  lingerie entrepreneur and Hunter Biden's ex-girlfriend who is expected to testify in his federal gun crime trial.

Kestan testified before the grand jury in Delaware for five hours in 2022, the New York Post reported. Kestan reportedly told the grand jury about Hunter's lavish spending habits at luxury hotels in New York and California.

Hunter had apparently impregnated Lunden Roberts shortly before meeting Kestan and reportedly never mentioned the child out of wedlock to her — even with the child being born days after her birthday in 2018. 

Kestan and Hunter were looking at pricey houses in the Los Angeles area to lease together in 2018, according to emails reviewed by Fox News Digital. 

Biden and Kestan stayed at several luxury hotels in New York City and California, including the Mercer, the Four Seasons, SIXTY SoHo and Soho Grand hotels. The pair also shacked up at the NoMad  hotel, Hollywood Roosevelt, Jeremy West Hollywood, and the Chateau Marmont hotel in Los Angeles — staying for a month at the L.A. chateau, the Post reported.

Biden wrote in his memoir "Beautiful Things" that he was "blacklisted" from Chateau Marmont due to complaints of his drug use over five months at the hotel in 2018, revealing the pricey hotspot is where he "learned how to cook crack."

Fox News Digital's Houston Keene and Cameron Cawthorne contributed to this report

Fox News contributor Andy McCarthy joined 'America's Newsroom' to discuss his take on Hunter Biden's gun trial and why he thinks a prison sentence for Trump would be 'over the top.'“

"The evidence against him is very strong. The law enforcement people were brought into this when the gun was lost,” McCarthy said. “They tried to discard it… it seems like Hallie Biden tried to discard it because they were worried Hunter was drug addled and might hurt himself or someone else.”

“It’s pretty overwhelming that’s only become more overwhelming with time as Hunter has made a lot of statements about the condition he was in at that time,” McCarthy continued. “I don’t think he has much of an argument that he wasn’t a drug addict at that time.”

McCarthy also spoke on the case of former President Donald Trump, arguing that the former president being jailed would be an “over the top” punishment.

Former federal prosecutor Katie Cherkasky discussed what she would look for in potential jurors in Hunter Biden's gun trial and her overall take on the case during 'Fox & Friends First.'

“There’s a lot of political undertones here,” Cherkasky said. “The Biden’s are a huge force in the state of Delaware. Politically it should probably be pretty favorable for Hunter in many ways. Of course, you want people who don’t have strong opinions one way or the other, especially politically speaking.”

Cherkasky also noted that it would be risky for Biden to take the stand during the trial.

“I don’t know if it’s necessary,” Cherkasky said. “It will depend on what other evidence is brought in here. There’s his book, there’s certain statements that he’s made that the jury will be aware of. So if he wants to try to rebut that, perhaps, but I think it would be kind of risky because there’s other things that won’t come in unless he is testifying.”

The jury selection for Hunter Biden's federal trial in Delaware is now underway.

Judge Maryellen Noreika has advised potential jurors they will be allowed their phones, but cannot take pictures or video.

They were were also instructed not to talk with anyone, listen or talk to the press, or search the internet concerning the case.

President Biden issued a statement as his son, Hunter Biden, faces trial over federal gun charges.

“I am the President, but I am also a Dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today. Hunter’s resilience in the face of adversity and the strength he has brought to his recovery are inspiring to us. A lot of families have loved ones who have overcome addiction and know what we mean," Biden said. "As the President, I don’t and won’t comment on pending federal cases, but as a Dad, I have boundless love for my son, confidence in him, and respect for his strength. Our family has been through a lot together, and Jill and I are going to continue to be there for Hunter and our family with our love and support.”

Following President Joe Biden's appearance with Hunter Biden in Delaware over the weekend ahead of his son's gun trial, columnist Miranda Devine told Fox & Friends Monday morning "no one has any doubt that the President of the United States is in town and keeping a very close eye on what Judge Maryellen Noreika is doing in her courtroom," and "on each one of those jurors that are being chosen today."

"And Joe Biden has made a real conspicuous display of being alongside his son the last two weeks, it's been extraordinary," Devine said. "The number of sightings right down to the bike ride at Rehoboth Beach on Saturday morning."

President Biden is scheduled to spend most of Monday in Wilmington, where jury selection for Hunter's trial is currently underway. Over the last month, the father-son duo have been spotted together on several occasions and were most recently seen cycling together along a trail in Rehoboth Beach on Saturday. Last month, they attended a White House state dinner for Kenya and last week they were seen commemorating the ninth anniversary of Beau Biden's death at church.

"It's all sending a signal," Devine said. "You don't have to say anything, you just have to say. 'Mess with my son, you mess with me.'"

Jill Biden (Reuters)

First lady Jill Biden arrived to the courthouse the first day of Hunter Biden's federal gun crime trial in Delaware on Monday.

The proceedings land on Jill's 73rd birthday. Hunter's sister, Ashley Biden, is also attending.

The first day of the trial will focus on jury selection. The first son faces charges of making false statements in the purchase of a firearm, as well as possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.

With all counts combined, the total maximum prison time for the charges could be up to 25 years. Each count carries a maximum fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release. 

Kathleen Anne Buhle, formerly known as Kathleen Biden, is an American non-profit executive and writer, and the ex-wife of Hunter Biden. 

She is the mother of Naomi Biden, Hunter Biden’s oldest daughter, and the author of the 2022 book, “If We Break: A Memoir of Marriage, Addiction, and Healing,” in which she provides insights into her life during her marriage to Hunter Biden and the difficulties during his struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction.

Legal documents have Buhle described as “Witness 1” as the Hunter Biden trial commences on Monday.

Hunter Biden and his wife (Getty Images)

Hunter Biden arrived to the Delaware courthouse for his federal gun crime trial Monday morning, clinging to his wife's hand as he walked into the building.

Hunter faces charges of making false statements in the purchase of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance. Together, the charges carry a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison if he is convicted.

The charges could also carry a fine of $250,000.

The trial begins nearly a year after presiding Judge Maryellen Noreika questioned a plea deal between prosecutors and Hunter Biden, which subsequently fell apart.

Monday's proceedings will begin with jury selection.

Hunter Biden is charged with three felony counts related to his allegedly illegal purchase of a revolver from a federally licensed firearms dealer on Oct. 12, 2018.

“Hunter Biden is charged with making a false statement in the purchase of a firearm, making a false statement related to information required to be kept by Federal Firearms Licensed Dealer, and possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance,” the Department of Justice stated when charges were filed in September 2023.

The charges are based on a contention by the prosecution that he knowingly made a false statement when he indicated on a form he was required to fill out that he was not an unlawful user of or addicted to drugs.

Naomi Biden is a lawyer and the oldest daughter of Hunter Biden and Kathleen Buhle – and a granddaughter of President Joe Biden. 

According to published reports, Naomi Biden knew Tiffany Trump while they attended college together at the University of Pennsylvania – and both graduated together in 2016.

According to her LinkedIn page, she is an International Arbitration Associate at the law firm Arnold & Porter, specializing in international arbitration. She has reportedly accompanied the Bidens on trips to China, Brazil, Turkey, New Zealand, and Trinidad and Tobago while they were serving as Vice President and Second Lady. Notably, in November 2022, she became the first granddaughter of a president to marry at the White House, with her wedding taking place on the South Lawn.

Hunter Biden is charged with three felony tax offenses and six misdemeanor tax offenses in an indictment filed by a federal grand jury in December 2023.

“Hunter Biden engaged in a four-year scheme in which he chose not to pay at least $1.4 million in self-assessed federal taxes he owed for tax years 2016 through 2019 and to evade the assessment of taxes for tax year 2018 when he filed false returns,” according to the Department of Justice.

The indictment alleges Biden “spent millions of dollars on an extravagant lifestyle rather than paying his tax bills,” and in his 2018 returns, “included false business deductions in order to reduce the very substantial tax liability he faced as of February 2020.”

The trial on these charges was scheduled to begin later this month but, because of the gun charges trial, has been delayed until September.

If found guilty on all three counts, Hunter Biden could be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison. Hunter Biden has no prior criminal record, and first-time offenders often receive more lenient sentences than the maximum handed down by the judge.

The final decision rests with District Judge Maryellen Noreika of Delaware. Notably, these charges fall under federal jurisdiction, granting President Joe Biden the authority to pardon his son at any time. Additionally, if Hunter Biden is convicted, the president could choose to commute the sentence, thereby reducing the severity of the penalty. The White House has indicated, however, that Biden will not pardon his son.

Hunter Biden’s criminal trial will begin with jury selection Monday morning in Delaware. The trial stems from federal gun charges brought against him by special counsel David Weiss. 

Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to federal gun charges in U.S. District Court for Delaware after Weiss charged him with making a false statement in the purchase of a firearm; making a false statement related to information required to be kept by a licensed firearm dealer; and one count of possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance. 

With all counts combined, the total maximum prison time for the charges could be up to 25 years. Each count carries a maximum fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release. 

The trial begins nearly a year after presiding Judge Maryellen Noreika questioned a plea deal between prosecutors and Hunter Biden, which subsequently fell apart.

The agreement, blasted as a "sweetheart" deal by congressional Republicans, appeared to convey broad immunity to the president's son on a host of potential criminal charges.

According to an indictment, Hunter Biden bought a Colt Cobra revolver Oct. 12, 2018, and "knowingly made a false and fictitious written statement, intended and likely to deceive that dealer with respect to a fact material to the lawfulness of the sale of the firearm … certifying he was not an unlawful user of, and addicted to, any stimulant, narcotic drug, and any other controlled substance, when in fact, as he knew, that statement was false and fictitious." 

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Brooke Singman