WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, was indicted Thursday on federal firearms charges, the latest and most serious incident so far in a lengthy investigation.
Biden is accused of lying about his drug use when he purchased a firearm in October 2018, while himself admitting that he was struggling with a crack addiction, according to the indictment filed in federal court in Delaware.
The president’s son is also being investigated because of his business relationships. The special prosecutor overseeing the case has indicated that charges for failing to pay taxes could be filed in Washington or California.
The case comes at a time when Republicans in Congress are trying to impeach the president, particularly over Hunter Biden’s business dealings. Republicans have sought testimony about how Hunter Biden used “the Biden brand” to do business abroad, but have offered no direct evidence of any illegality committed by the president.
The case says Hunter Biden lied on the form to purchase a Colt Cobra Special pistol at a store in Wilmington, Delaware, in October 2018, citing illegal gun possession as a drug user.
The gun possession charge against 53-year-old Hunter Biden was previously part of a sentence reduction agreement that included guilty pleas to tax crimes, but the deal collapsed during a court hearing in July when a judge raised questions about its unusual provisions.
Defense attorneys have argued that part of the agreement that Hunter Biden would not be prosecuted for the gun crime if he remained free of legal trouble remains valid. Includes immunity provisions from other potential charges. The lawyers said they would resist further charges against her, but did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday.
