Statement underscoring the rule of law, President Joe Biden affirmed that “no one is above the law” as his son, Hunter Biden, faces federal gun charges. The trial, starting Monday, could result in Hunter Biden’s imprisonment if convicted. This announcement follows the conviction of former President Donald Trump on 34 counts of falsifying business records.
Despite the legal troubles surrounding his son, polls indicate that voters do not hold President Biden accountable for Hunter’s actions. A January Reuters-Ipsos survey revealed that over half of respondents viewed Biden positively for supporting his son through numerous legal challenges.
The trial presents a significant test for President Biden, who is balancing his re-election campaign with the personal strain of his son’s legal battle. His focus and mental discipline will be crucial during this pivotal period.
Hunter Biden’s trial coincides with President Biden’s first overseas trip of the year. On Thursday, he will deliver a speech in France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. He is also set to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has cost U.S. taxpayers $175 billion.
Later in June, Biden will return to Europe for a summit in Italy with America’s democratic allies and will participate in his first debate with Trump at the end of the month.
“He has always put his family at the center of his life,” said Senator Chris Coons, a close friend of the President. “He has shown for decades an ability to both tend to difficult and pressing family needs and carry out his office.”
The Biden family has faced numerous tragedies. In 1972, Hunter and his brother Beau were seriously injured in a car crash that killed their mother and baby sister. Beau Biden’s death from brain cancer in 2015 deeply affected Hunter, who also battled a severe addiction to crack cocaine.
According to a presidential adviser, Hunter Biden’s trial will be “very personal and very painful.” Despite this, Joe Biden and his son have remained almost inseparable, with the President showing unwavering support for Hunter.
Hunter Biden recently attended a state dinner at the White House and accompanied his father to Beau Biden’s gravesite. They have been frequently seen together, including traveling on Air Force One and bicycling in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
“The Bidens are remarkably normal parents, and when their kids are hurting, they’re hurting too,” said Michael LaRosa, former spokesman for First Lady Jill Biden. He emphasized the close relationship between Joe and Hunter Biden, noting that the President communicates daily with his children.
Campaign strategies regarding Hunter Biden’s trial differ sharply. Trump’s team is leveraging the narrative of both Trump’s and Hunter Biden’s legal issues to draw comparisons. Jason Miller, Trump’s spokesman, highlighted this on Fox News, suggesting that the situations create a comparative narrative beneficial to Trump’s campaign.
As Hunter Biden’s trial unfolds, it will test the resilience and unity of the Biden family while also influencing the political landscape in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election.
