President Joe Biden’s son Hunter is expected to plead not guilty to federal firearms charges at an upcoming court hearing. Earlier this year a plea deal to allow Biden to plead not guilty to federal misdemeanor firearms and tax charges fell apart. The current charges, and potential pending ones, could land Hunter Biden in federal prison.
Special counsel David Weiss brought the charges against Hunter Biden earlier this month, including making a false statement in the purchase of a firearm, making a false statement related to information required to be kept by a federal firearms licensed dealer and one count of possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.
Hunter Biden has been observed consuming illegal narcotics in photos from his laptop. One photo appeared to show the president’s son driving while smoking crack cocaine.
The younger Biden’s attorneys requested that U.S. Magistrate Judge from the District of Delaware Christopher Burke hold the court appearance “by video conference.”
New: Hunter Biden's lawyers are asking the court to allow him to enter his not guilty plea via video because, among other reasons, his Secret Service detail would be disruptive to locals.
That does not appear to have been sufficient to keep Trump from having to go in person. pic.twitter.com/Uv3ia1FF7M— Sarah Bedford (@sarahcbedford) September 19, 2023
“Mr. Biden also will enter a plea of not guilty, and there is no reason why he cannot utter those two words by video conference,” his attorney wrote. “In short, Mr. Biden is satisfied that his constitutional rights will be met by conducting his initial appearance by video conference.”
Hunter Biden’s attorney also wrote that the president’s son “is not seeking any special treatment in making this request.”
In addition to the current firearms charges, Weiss is reportedly considering federal tax charges against the president’s son.
The current and potential charges are a stark contrast to Weiss’ original plea deal, which would have likely resulted in Hunter Biden serving no jail time.
However, testimony by an IRS whistleblower may have shed light on the wider investigation into the younger Biden. Weiss had been twice frustrated in his efforts to bring charges against Hunter Biden by Department of Justice officials.
Following the testimony, the plea deal was thrown out by the judge presiding over the case.
Following the failed plea deal, Weiss was named special counsel by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland.
