A live look outside the U.S. District Court in Wilmington reveals that jury selection is currently underway in the federal gun case against Hunter Biden. This trial marks the first instance of a sitting president's child facing trial, with potential consequences of up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
As of 12:45 p.m. Eastern time, 25 out of 250 juror prospects have been moved to the jury pool, while 15 have been dismissed. The process seems to be progressing swiftly, with 36 being the target number for the final jury pool. There are indications that opening statements could even commence today, as reported by a producer inside the courthouse.
Hunter Biden arrived at the Wilmington courthouse prior to the commencement of jury selection, with First Lady Jill Biden making a surprise appearance on her 73rd birthday. President Biden refrained from commenting on the ongoing case, expressing pride in his son's resilience and recovery from adversity.
The prosecution alleges that Hunter falsely declared his drug use status when purchasing a gun in 2018. They have hinted at calling around a dozen witnesses, including Hunter's ex-wife and Beau Biden's widow. A plea agreement that was previously in place fell through when specifics were questioned by the judge.
Notably, the defense attorney mentioned the absence of a lunch break, indicating a desire to expedite proceedings. During jury selection, it was revealed that nearly all potential jurors have personal connections to individuals dealing with substance abuse or addiction.
