Joe Biden claims Hunter would have received plea deal ‘if I weren’t running for re-election’: report
President Biden has blamed politics for his son Hunter’s conviction Tuesday on federal gun charges — ignoring that his offspring’s defense attorneys helped scuttle a sweetheart plea bargain last summer that would have staved off the criminal case.
“If I weren’t running for re-election, he would have gotten the plea deal,” the elder Biden, 81, told one of his confidants earlier this month, according to Politico.
The reported remark recalls former President Donald Trump’s claim that prosecutors have engaged in “election interference” by pursuing criminal cases against him. Biden, in response, has called such claims by his great rival “reckless,” “dangerous” and “irresponsible.”
Politico also reported that the president asked family members for updates on his son’s trial while Joe Biden was in France last week to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
The president raced to Delaware Tuesday afternoon following the guilty verdict, embracing his son in full view of the White House press pool.
Hunter, 54, was convicted by a jury of three charges related to lying about his crack cocaine addiction to obtain a firearm on Oct. 12, 2018. He faces up to 25 years in prison, though no sentencing date has yet been set and a lighter penalty is more likely.
The first son facing any prison time seemed a remote possibility last year, when court filings revealed that prosecutors led by Delaware US Attorney David Weiss had hammered out a probation-only plea agreement with Hunter’s attorneys.
Hunter was expected to only face two years of probation for tax crimes, agree not to own a firearm again and remain drug-free for at least two years.
The plans went haywire when US District Judge Maryellen Noreika presided over a July 26, 2023, hearing to sort out the agreement and exposed daylight between the defense and prosecution over the extent to which Hunter would enjoy immunity.
There had been speculation that Hunter could face additional charges under the Foreign Agents Registration Act or possibly the Mann Act — which prohibits the transportation of prostitutes across state lines, but is rarely charged as a standalone offense.
Follow the latest on Hunter Biden’s federal gun trial:
- Hunter Biden guilty of felony gun charges, faces 25 years in prison
- Joe Biden reveals whether he will pardon Hunter after first son convicted on felony gun charges in first comments since verdict
- Hunter Biden breaks silence after felony gun conviction, says he’s ‘disappointed’ by outcome
- Hunter Biden juror reveals the damning evidence that lead to conviction at gun trial
- Here’s what’s next for Hunter Biden following his conviction on gun charges
After Noreika poked holes in the deal, Weiss’ team moved to charge Hunter separately for the tax and firearm allegations. The tax trial is slated to commence in Los Angeles on Sept. 5.
Hunter seemed largely unfazed by Tuesday’s verdict, even nodding his head when the last “guilty” verdict was read out by a court official.
First lady Jill Biden, who had been in the courtroom almost every day of trial, showed up too late to hear the verdict.
“Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today,” the president said in a statement after the verdict Tuesday, praising Hunter for overcoming his addiction struggles.
“I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal. Jill and I will always be there for Hunter and the rest of our family with our love and support. Nothing will ever change that.”
President Biden has previously stated that he would not pardon his son.
Ironically, hours after Hunter’s conviction, President Biden spoke at Everytown for Gun Safety’s annual conference in Washington and spoke of the need to “hold families accountable” if they don’t safely store their guns.
The Biden-Harris campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
