Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, arrives at the federal court with his wife Melissa Cohen Biden, on the opening day of his trial on criminal gun charges in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S., June 3, 2024.Â
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters
President Joe Biden expressed his love and support Monday morning for his only surviving son, Hunter Biden, who faced the start of his federal trial on criminal gun charges.
“I am the President, but I am also a Dad,” the elder Biden said in a statement as jury selection kicked off in the trial in U.S. District Court in Delaware.
Hunter Biden, 54, faces three counts connected to his purchase and possession of a Colt Cobra revolver while he was addicted to drugs in 2018. The trial is expected to last two weeks.
The trial begins just four days after a New York jury found Republican former President Donald Trump, now the party’s presumptive nominee, guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records.
Both Trump and Hunter Biden claim that they have been unfairly targeted by the Department of Justice for political reasons.
President Biden said that he and first lady Jill Biden “love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today.”
The first lady showed up to court Monday to support her stepson, who is the first-ever child of a sitting president to stand trial on criminal charges.
U.S. first lady Jill Biden arrives at the federal court on the opening day of trial of Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, on criminal gun charges in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S., June 3, 2024.Â
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters
“As the President, I don’t and won’t comment on pending federal cases, but as a Dad, I have boundless love for my son, confidence in him, and respect for his strength,” said Joe Biden.
Hunter Biden faces a second trial in September on federal tax charges.
“Hunter’s resilience in the face of adversity and the strength he has brought to his recovery are inspiring to us,” the president said. “A lot of families have loved ones who have overcome addiction and know what we mean.”
Hunter Biden’s history of drug abuse is central to the Delaware case.
“Our family has been through a lot together, and Jill and I are going to continue to be there for Hunter and our family with our love and support,” Biden said.
Trump’s historic conviction came on the same day that Biden, Hunter Biden and the first lady all gathered to honor the president’s late son, Beau Biden, on the ninth anniversary of his death in 2015 from brain cancer, at just 46 years old.
This is developing news. Please check back for updates.