President Biden says he accepts son Hunter Biden's guilty verdict in federal gun case
WASHINGTON ― President Joe Biden said he accepts the guilty verdict of Hunter Biden after his son was convicted by a jury of three federal gun charges Tuesday ? a historic first for the child of a sitting president.
"I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal," Biden said in a statement.
In a Delaware federal court, Hunter Biden was found guilty of falsely filling out a federal form denying he was addicted to narcotics when he purchased a Colt Cobra 38SPL revolver in 2018.
He was also found guilty of lying to a gun dealer and knowingly possessing the revolver despite restrictions against people addicted to drugs owning firearms.
“As I said last week, I am the President, but I am also a Dad," Biden said. "Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today. 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."
President Biden addresses gun control advocates after guilty verdict
Hours after Hunter Biden's conviction of gun charges, President Biden delivered previously-scheduled remarks at Everytown for Gun Safety's annual conference at the Washington Hilton hotel to highlight his administration's efforts to combat gun violence.
Biden did not reference his son's guilty verdict during his roughly 20-minute remarks in which he touted a national homicide rate that declined by one of the steepest rates on record in 2023.
"You're changing the nation, you really are," Biden told the group, renewing his call to reinstate the nation's assault weapons ban. "They're weapons of war."
The White House canceled an afternoon press briefing that press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was initially scheduled to hold.
After his speech, Biden left Washington for his home in Wilmington, Delaware, where the case was tried, in a change to his original plans. Biden departs Wednesday for Italy where he will take part in a Group of Seven nations summit.
President Biden's reaction to his son's conviction was strikingly different from last month's response by Donald Trump following the former president's guilty verdict in his New York hush-money trial. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, decried a "rigged trial" and blamed Biden.
Biden vowed last week that he would not pardon his son if found guilty during an interview with ABC News.
Hunter Biden to 'vigorously pursue' legal challenges, attorney says
Hunter Biden faces up to 25 years in prison for three charges, though first-time, nonviolent offenders typically receive shorter sentences. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika will soon set Hunter Biden's sentencing date.
“I am more grateful today for the love and support I experienced this last week from Melissa, my family, my friends, and my community than I am disappointed by the outcome," Hunter Biden said in a statement. "Recovery is possible by the grace of God, and I am blessed to experience that gift one day at a time.”
Hunter Biden's attorney, Abbe Lowell, indicated an appeal was likely, saying that "we will continue to vigorously pursue all the legal challenges available to Hunter."
The case against Hunter Biden, a 54-year old businessman and attorney, came after a plea deal fell apart in July 2023 that could have resolved gun and taxes charges without prison time. Hunter Biden still faces another federal trial starting Sept. 5 in California for allegedly avoiding taxes.
Contributing: Bart Jansen. Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Joe Biden talks son Hunter's guilty verdict, says he 'accepts' it
