Republicans largely praised a jury that convicted Hunter Biden of three charges related to lying on a gun form after largely arguing that the justice system was weaponized when Donald Trump was convicted weeks ago.
A Wilmington, Delaware jury voted unanimously to convict Joe Biden’s son of two counts of lying on a federal form to purchase a gun, and one count of possessing the firearm while abusing drugs.
This historic conviction marks the first time the child of a current president has been found guilty of a crime.
‘Time is everything. This is the veil of fairness in the justice system under President Biden,” said Rep. Nancy Mace, R-Fla., a foe of Hunter Biden on the oversight committee.
“I’m glad to see that justice has been done. No one is above the law, including the president’s son,” said Rep. Josh Brecheen, R-Okla.
Oversight Chairman James Comer, who led Biden’s impeachment inquiry, called the verdict a “step toward accountability.”
Republicans largely praised a jury that convicted Hunter Biden of three charges related to lying on a gun form, after largely arguing the justice system was weaponized when Donald Trump was convicted weeks ago
But, he added, “until the Justice Department investigates everyone involved in the Bidens’ corrupt influence schemes that generated more than $18 million in foreign payments to the Biden family, it will be clear that department officials will continue to cover the Big Guy, Joe. Biden.”
Hunter will now wait for Judge Maryellen Noreika to decide on a sentence for the crimes, which could carry up to 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine – although the typical sentence is much lower.
Hours after the sentencing, President Biden will speak at a pro-gun control Everytown event.
Biden said of the verdict: “I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the legal process as Hunter considers an appeal. Jill and I will always be there for Hunter and the rest of our family with our love and support. Nothing will ever change that.’
Oversight Chairman James Comer, who led the impeachment inquiry into Biden, called the verdict a “step toward accountability.”
Hunter’s attorney said they will “continue to vigorously pursue all available legal challenges.”
“Today is the first step in bringing accountability to the Biden crime family,” House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik said as she praised the judge for rejecting the earlier plea deal when Hunter wanted an agreement that he would not be prosecuted could be used for other crimes in the future.
“As Republicans in the House of Representatives, we will continue to investigate the Biden crime family for its corrupt influence peddling schemes that generated more than $18 million in foreign payments to the members of the Biden Fund. So this is one step, but again, it goes back to the corruption of Joe Biden’s DOJ, that they tried to negotiate a sweetheart plea or not, for that judge who is paying very close attention and exposes that we would not get this verdict today to get.’
The plea deal between Hunter Biden and prosecutors that would have spared him the politically explosive trial of his father during an election year fell apart in spectacular fashion last year.
The case revolved around a 38 caliber Colt Cobra Special Hunter that was in his possession for about eleven days in 2018 – during the throes of his drug addiction which he has written about in his memoirs.
His lawyers say he never fired the gun. The trial did not address foreign affairs cases that Republicans have seized on as evidence of corruption in the Biden family.
Last week, Republican Party leaders referred both Hunter and James Biden to the DOJ for prosecution, alleging they lied under oath during Capitol Hill depositions about their business deals and Joe Biden’s involvement.
The verdict came less than two weeks after Trump was found guilty of 34 charges of falsifying company records in connection with his hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.
“Today is a shameful day in American history,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a statement announcing that ruling.
“The Democrats cheered as they convicted the leader of the opposing party on ridiculous charges based on the testimony of a disbarred, convicted felon. This was a purely political exercise, not a legal one.”