Biden’s son Hunter indicted on gun charges

Hunter Biden, the son of US President Joe Biden, was indicted on Thursday, marking a new chapter in his legal troubles. The charges against Hunter Biden stem from his illegal purchase of a gun five years ago, during a period when he openly admitted to heavy drug use.

The indictment includes two counts of making false statements, as Hunter falsely claimed on official forms that he was not using drugs illicitly at the time he acquired a Colt revolver in Delaware.

The most severe charge in the indictment pertains to the illegal possession of the firearm, which carries the potential for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. These charges were filed by Justice Department Special Counsel David Weiss, who has been investigating Hunter Biden since 2018.

This development comes just two months after a plea deal between Hunter Biden and Special Counsel Weiss regarding the gun charge and alleged tax violations. Initially, the plea deal included Hunter Biden pleading guilty to two minor tax charges in exchange for probation, as he had already settled his tax liabilities with the government, including penalties.

However, this agreement unraveled during a dramatic hearing on July 26, primarily due to disputes over whether Hunter Biden could potentially face additional, unspecified charges related to his business dealings in countries such as Ukraine and China. It was suggested that he might have acted as a lobbyist for foreign governments without registering with the Justice Department, raising further legal concerns.

As a result of the collapsed plea deal, Weiss dropped the tax charges, signaling that new charges might be brought in other states. He also informed the Delaware court that an indictment related to the gun charge would be forthcoming by the end of September.

Hunter Biden’s ongoing legal troubles, which include allegations of wrongdoing in his business dealings, have cast a shadow over his father’s reelection campaign. While some Republicans have accused the Justice Department of protecting the president’s son, Special Counsel Weiss, a Republican appointee, has faced criticism for his handling of Hunter Biden’s case. These legal proceedings are expected to remain in the spotlight as they continue to evolve.