Jury selection is underway in the federal gun trial of Hunter Biden, the son of President Biden. This historic trial marks the first time a child of a sitting president faces criminal charges. The 54-year-old is accused of illegally purchasing and possessing a gun while struggling with drug addiction.
The charges stem from an incident in October 2018 when Hunter Biden allegedly bought a gun and had it in his possession for about 11 days. Prosecutors claim that he lied on gun purchasing forms by stating he was not addicted to drugs, despite evidence suggesting otherwise.
After a plea deal fell through, a special counsel was appointed to bring the case to trial. Jury selection is taking place in Wilmington, Delaware, where Hunter Biden resides. Prosecutors intend to present evidence from Hunter's memoir detailing his battle with drug addiction around the time of the gun purchase.
The trial may also include testimony from women in Hunter Biden's life, including his ex-wife, his brother's widow, and a woman he pays child support to. While President Biden has refrained from direct comments on his son's prosecution, the trial is expected to face political scrutiny and potential attacks from Republicans.
Following the gun trial, Hunter Biden is set to face a second trial in California on tax charges. His defense is expected to focus on his efforts to overcome addiction at the time of the gun purchase, arguing that he was not knowingly lying on the forms.
As the trial unfolds, it is likely to draw attention to the broader political implications surrounding the Biden family and face continued scrutiny from opponents. The outcome of the trial will have significant implications for both Hunter Biden and the Biden administration.