Hunter Biden was formally charged on Thursday with federal firearms offenses, marking a significant development in an ongoing investigation involving the president's son. The charges stem from allegations that Biden provided false information regarding his drug use during the purchase of a firearm in October 2018.
Hunter Biden, the son of U.S. President Joe Biden, faces three criminal charges concerning firearms possession, as revealed in an indictment. This case is expected to play a significant role in the 2024 election campaign. The prosecution alleges that Hunter made false statements regarding his drug use to obtain a firearm in 2018, as outlined in the indictment filed in a United States federal court in Delaware on Thursday.
A White House spokesperson, on Thursday, directed inquiries to the U.S. Department of Justice and Hunter’s legal counsel, emphasizing that the charges have arisen from an independent investigation.
Hunter’s legal issues are expected to have a substantial impact on the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign, as President Biden seeks re-election, likely facing a rematch with his Republican predecessor, Donald Trump, who is currently leading the GOP’s nomination race.
Count three of the indictment charges Biden with unlawfully possessing that gun, a Colt revolver, for 11 days following the purchase. That charge is based on a federal law making it illegal to possess a weapon while a person is using illegal drugs. If convicted, the maximum sentence for the most serious crime in the indictment is 10 years in prison, but under federal sentencing guidelines Biden, who has acknowledged being addicted to drugs at the time of the gun purchase, would probably face far less time.
