U.S. President Joe Biden and son Hunter Biden disembark from Air Force One at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, New York, U.S., February 4, 2023.
Elizabeth Frantz | Reuters
President Joe Biden said Tuesday he will not challenge the federal jury verdict finding his son Hunter Biden guilty on three criminal gun charges.
“As I said last week, 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,” Biden said in his first comment after his sole surviving son was convicted in U.S. District Court in Delaware.
“So many families who have had loved ones battle addiction understand the feeling of pride seeing someone you love come out the other side and be so strong and resilient in recovery,” the president said.
“As I also said last week, I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal,” Biden said.
He added that he and first lady Jill Biden “will always be there for Hunter and the rest of our family with our love and support. Nothing will ever change that.”
The jury convicted Hunter Biden, 54, on three counts related to his October 2018 purchase and possession of a revolver while using illicit drugs. Federal prosecutors accused the president’s son of lying on a form used for a federal background check when he claimed he was not using or addicted to illegal drugs.
The verdict, delivered after just three hours of deliberation over two days, makes Hunter the first son of a sitting U.S. president ever to be found guilty of crimes.
Hunter Biden said in a statement that he was “disappointed by the outcome,” but expressed gratitude for the support he received from his wife, Melissa Biden, and his family and friends.
“Recovery is possible by the grace of God, and I am blessed to experience that gift one day at a time,” he said.
His attorney, Abbe Lowell, said, “We are naturally disappointed by today’s verdict.”
“We respect the jury process, and as we have done throughout this case, we will continue to vigorously pursue all the legal challenges available to Hunter,” Lowell said.
Joe Biden on Tuesday afternoon is scheduled to tout his administration’s gun safety record and its efforts to “reduce crime and keep guns out of dangerous hands,” the White House said.
This is breaking news. Please check back for updates.
