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President Joe Biden immediately hugged his son Hunter as he stepped off Marine One late Tuesday afternoon in the hours after his son’s federal gun conviction. After Hunter was found guilty on all three counts by a Delaware jury, the White House announced that the president’s schedule had been changed: he would travel to Wilmington.
When Biden landed at the Delaware Air National Guard, Hunter, his wife Melissa Cohen — who was by his side throughout the trial — and four-year-old baby Beau were waiting for him. The president grabbed his son as reporters rushed over to capture the moment, hugging him emotionally and then pulling him back to him, his arm hovering above Hunter’s for about five seconds.
Biden also hugged Melissa and then walked over to his young grandson, crouched down to hug him and then kissed the toddler’s blond head. Neither the president nor the first son had anything to say to the press.
Biden jumped into his signature SUV while Hunter, Melissa and Beau walked across the tarmac to another vehicle on base. The president returned to Wilmington after giving a speech touting his own record on gun safety.
Appearing before Everytown for the Gun Safety Action Fund’s “Gun Sense University,” the president talked about what he was doing to reduce gun violence, but failed to mention son Hunter’s conviction on federal gun charges.
He referenced Hunter’s late sister and brother, and his late first wife Neilia, as he talked about how he knew what the victims’ families were going through because he experienced his own losses. “I know it’s hard because I’ve also gotten those calls saying I’ve lost a son, a daughter, a wife. I know what it’s like,” the president said.
Biden issued a statement through the White House counsel’s office after the verdict was announced, applauding Hunter for surviving his drug addiction. “As I said last week, I am the president, but I am also a father,” the president reiterated. 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 who have battled addiction understand the feeling of pride in seeing someone you love emerge on the other side and be so strong and resilient in recovery,” Biden said.
“As I said last week, I will accept the outcome of this case and continue to respect the legal process as Hunter considers an appeal,” the president added. The president never attended the seven-day trial in person — although first lady Jill Biden did — and flew back and forth from France to be in the courtroom. Other Biden family members in attendance included the president’s brother and sister, first daughter Ashley Biden, Naomi Biden — who testified — and her husband Peter Neal.
Biden previously told ABC’s David Muir that he would not pardon Hunter. Hunter plans to appeal the conviction, but that would happen after sentencing — with a date typically set about 120 days after trial — meaning the first son would be back for trial just weeks before the November election. the court would appear. The younger Biden has also been charged in California with tax evasion and could face trial again in September.
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