In an unprecedented move, Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, faces indictment by special counsel David Weiss. These charges mark the first time in U.S. history that a sitting president’s child has been charged by the Justice Department.
The indictment includes three charges: making false statements on a federal firearms form and illegal possession of a firearm as a prohibited person. These charges stem from Hunter’s 2018 firearm purchase, during which he falsely denied drug addiction.
Attempts to resolve the matter through a plea deal collapsed this summer under judicial scrutiny. Concurrently, House Republicans initiated an impeachment inquiry related to Hunter’s father’s administration.
Hunter Biden’s initial court appearance remains pending. His lawyer alleges political pressure behind the indictment, while former President Donald Trump describes the situation as “sad.”
Weiss has led the investigation into Hunter Biden’s various matters since 2018, including potential tax evasion and illegal lobbying. Legal penalties, if convicted on all counts, could reach 25 years in prison and fines up to $750,000.
One charge, related to gun possession while using or addicted to drugs, faces constitutional scrutiny after an appeals court ruling in August declared the statute unconstitutional, although this doesn’t directly impact Hunter Biden’s case, prosecuted in Delaware.
