Hunter Biden Pleads Not Guilty to Gun Charges

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Facts

  • Hunter Biden, the son of US Pres. Joe Biden, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to three gun-related charges, including possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance, making a false statement in the purchase of a firearm, and making a false statement to the gun shop where he bought the firearm.1
  • The indictment, which came last month after a plea agreement over tax and gun charges fell apart, claims Hunter falsified a federal form by claiming he wasn't 'an unlawful user of' nor was he 'addicted to any stimulant narcotic drug' when he purchased a revolver in October 2018.2
  • In contrast to the fiery disagreements reported during the original plea bargain, Hunter spent roughly 30 minutes in the courtroom speaking quietly with his lawyers before answering 'Yes, your honor' when asked if he understood the nature of the charges. This came after the Biden son's request to appear virtually was denied.3
  • After his not-guilty plea, the judge went over the conditions of Hunter's release, including supervision by a probation officer, pursuing employment, and abstaining from drugs or alcohol. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $750K.4
  • While such charges typically don't come with jail time, this legal dispute has become a political headache for Pres. Biden. Republican lawmakers have simultaneously launched an impeachment inquiry and claimed Hunter and his father engaged in corrupt business deals in China and Ukraine, though the president denies the allegations.5
  • This comes as Hunter's legal team has also filed a wave of lawsuits against the Internal Revenue Service, Rudy Giuliani, and former Trump aide Garrett Ziegler, whom they allege breached his privacy rights and computer fraud laws.3

Sources: 1CNN, 2Verity lite, 3NBC, 4Daily Wire and 5The telegraph.

Narratives

  • Republican narrative, as provided by Townhall. Between Hunter's failed plea bargain, subsequent prosecution, and evidence showing he used his father's influence to pocket hundreds of thousands of dollars from a Chinese firm, the Biden family is drowning in scandals. Though he's trying to hide behind his son now, Pres. Biden is being exposed for the corrupt man he is — and his legacy will be tarnished for it.
  • Democratic narrative, as provided by Usa today. Though Republicans are strategically using the phrase 'Biden family' when talking about Hunter Biden's legal troubles, the reality is that not even the GOP impeachment inquirers have found evidence linking the president to his son. Joe Biden has been a family man from his earliest days as a county councilman in Delaware, so it's no surprise that he's chosen to back his son while he endures legal accusations. Hunter is innocent until proven guilty, and Joe has always been innocent.

Predictions