Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, was convicted by a jury in Wilmington, Delaware, on three charges related to a firearm he owned briefly in 2018. The verdict comes after a six-year investigation initiated by Special Counsel David Weiss, a former US Attorney for Delaware, who was appointed during the Trump administration to probe Hunter Biden’s activities. This investigation initially resulted in a plea agreement, which later collapsed in court, leading to the current charges and conviction (full article here).
The case has generated significant controversy, with proponents arguing that Hunter Biden received undue scrutiny compared to similar cases, while opponents suggest this is evidence of a two-tiered justice system. For instance, tax-related charges against Roger Stone were recently dropped, even though he too failed to pay his taxes promptly. A 2018 report by the Government Accountability Office noted that of the over 112,000 denials triggered by failed gun purchase background checks, only a minuscule number were prosecuted (GAO report).
The polarizing case has spurred varied reactions. President Biden expressed his continued support for his son while respecting the judicial process. On the other hand, Trump’s campaign labeled the matter as a diversion tactic from the “real crimes” of the Biden family. Notably, President Biden confirmed he would not pardon his son, emphasizing the belief in a fair judicial process. You can read the detailed background on the plea deal that fell apart last July and other related events in the extensive coverage by The Washington Post.