President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, faces a groundbreaking indictment related to the purchase of a firearm in 2018, marking the first time in U.S. history that the child of a sitting president has been charged by the Justice Department.
The indictment includes three charges: making false statements on a federal firearms form and possession of a firearm as a prohibited person. This unexpected turn of events could lead to a high-stakes trial in the midst of President Biden's 2024 reelection campaign.
Initially, the White House anticipated that Hunter Biden's legal troubles would be resolved through a plea deal this summer. However, the deal fell apart amid scrutiny from a federal judge, and House Republicans launched an impeachment inquiry into the president concerning Hunter Biden's business activities.
Hunter Biden has been summoned to appear in court for an initial hearing on the charges, although the date and location remain uncertain. His lawyer, Abbe Lowell, contends that political pressure led to the indictment, with Republican politicians influencing the U.S. attorney's actions.
The indictment is connected to Hunter Biden's purchase of a firearm in 2018 while he was struggling with crack cocaine addiction. He allegedly provided false information on a federal form, a federal crime that carries serious penalties.
Lowell argues that the charges should not stand, citing prior agreements with prosecutors and recent court rulings declaring the relevant statute unconstitutional.
Special counsel David Weiss, who has been investigating Hunter Biden since 2018, is also considering tax-related charges.
If convicted on all counts, Hunter Biden could potentially face up to 25 years in prison and hefty fines. However, it's important to note that such maximum penalties are rarely applied, particularly in cases involving non-violent offenses and first-time offenders.
The indictment raises questions about the legality of the gun possession law Hunter Biden is accused of breaking, particularly in light of a recent appeals court ruling that declared it unconstitutional.
In another news, a Swedish court has handed down a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence to a Norwegian man who kept his deceased partner's body in a freezer while fraudulently collecting her pension. The 57-year-old man deceived friends and family by claiming that his 60-year-old partner, who had passed away from cancer in 2018, was still alive and well. See detailed story here
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