Jury selection begins in Hunter Biden gun trial
Good morning, US politics readers. Hunter Biden goes on trial today in Wilmington, Delaware, on gun charges in a case that could prove an embarrassment to his father, Joe Biden, and hand a political weapon to Republicans desperate for a distracting issue in the wake of Donald Trumpâs 34-count conviction in the New York hush-money case last week.
Prosecutors allege that Biden lied about his drug use on application forms when he purchased a handgun in 2018. He has pleaded not guilty. In theory, he could face a hefty jail sentence, but it is widely seen as highly unlikely. He has long struggled with addiction issues and a troubled private life.
The trial, which will be overseen by US district judge Maryellen Noreika, is expected to last up to about two weeks. Jury selection is scheduled to begin about 8.30am ET today, and the presidentâs son will be required to be in court each day of his trial on gun charges.
Hereâs what else is going on today:
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The House and Senate are both in and voting tonight.
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At 10am ET, the former government scientist Dr Anthony Fauci is set to appear before the Republican-led House select subcommittee on the coronavirus pandemic.
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The House will take up legislation sanctioning the international criminal court if it moves ahead with arrest warrants for Israelâs prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and other Israeli officials.
Key events
Hunter Biden, who spent the weekend with his parents, faces three felony counts tied to a 2018 firearm purchase while using narcotics.
Prosecutors allege that Hunter Biden lied about his drug use on application forms when he purchased a handgun, and illegally having the gun for 11 days.
The presidentâs son has acknowledged struggling with an addiction to crack cocaine during that period in 2018, but his lawyers have said he didnât break the law.
In his memoir Beautiful Things, he described becoming consumed by drugs and alcohol after his older brother, Beau, died in 2015 at age 46 from brain cancer. The brothers were very close, having survived a car crash when they were young that killed their mother and baby sister.
Hunter Biden has said he has been sober since 2019. But prosecutors intend to use his memoir to make the case that he knew he was addicted to drugs when he denied it on the form that every person must fill out when buying a gun.
Hunter Biden arrived at the courthouse in Wilmington earlier this morning ahead of jury selection in his gun charges case.
Hunter Biden was accompanied by his wife, Melissa Cohen, and his attorney, Abbe Lowell.
His stepmother, first lady Jill Biden, and his half-sister Ashley Biden, are also attending the trial.
His father Joe Biden, whose attendance would bring considerable logistical and security challenges to the courthouse, is in Wilmington but is not expected to attend.
Jury selection begins in Hunter Biden gun trial
Good morning, US politics readers. Hunter Biden goes on trial today in Wilmington, Delaware, on gun charges in a case that could prove an embarrassment to his father, Joe Biden, and hand a political weapon to Republicans desperate for a distracting issue in the wake of Donald Trumpâs 34-count conviction in the New York hush-money case last week.
Prosecutors allege that Biden lied about his drug use on application forms when he purchased a handgun in 2018. He has pleaded not guilty. In theory, he could face a hefty jail sentence, but it is widely seen as highly unlikely. He has long struggled with addiction issues and a troubled private life.
The trial, which will be overseen by US district judge Maryellen Noreika, is expected to last up to about two weeks. Jury selection is scheduled to begin about 8.30am ET today, and the presidentâs son will be required to be in court each day of his trial on gun charges.
Hereâs what else is going on today:
-
The House and Senate are both in and voting tonight.
-
At 10am ET, the former government scientist Dr Anthony Fauci is set to appear before the Republican-led House select subcommittee on the coronavirus pandemic.
-
The House will take up legislation sanctioning the international criminal court if it moves ahead with arrest warrants for Israelâs prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and other Israeli officials.
