US President Joe Biden has broken his silence following his son Hunter Biden’s guilty verdict in a gun crimes trial.
The jury found Hunter Biden, aged 54, guilty of providing false information about his drug use while purchasing a handgun back in 2018.
This verdict marks the first instance of a sitting president’s child facing criminal prosecution. The trial, which lasted for a week, shed light on the turbulent times faced by the Biden family.
While President Biden did not personally attend the trial in Delaware, several family members, including First Lady Jill Biden, were present throughout the proceedings. Hunter Biden’s wife, sister, and uncle also showed their unwavering support during this challenging time.
Following the verdict, President Biden flew to Wilmington, Delaware, where he warmly greeted and embraced his son on the tarmac.
“I am the president, but I am also a dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today,” Biden said in a statement before adding that he would “accept the outcome of this case and… continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal”.
It is worth noting that President Biden had previously ruled out the option of pardoning his son.
The trial exposed damning details, with prosecutors presenting evidence suggesting Hunter’s drug use, including crack cocaine, at the time of the gun purchase.
