This is a transcript of a news segment discussing the indictment of Hunter Biden, son of President Biden, on federal gun charges. Hunter initially planned to plead guilty as part of a deal, but it fell through due to concerns about the diversion program's parameters. The special counsel, appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland, pursued the case and filed three charges related to the gun charge. Two counts involve alleged false statements on a gun application, and the third is for making a false claim about drug use during that time. The charges carry potential jail time. The indictment comes amidst political pressure, with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announcing a formal impeachment inquiry into the President's involvement in Hunter's business deals, although concrete evidence connecting them has not been provided. The White House has emphasized its non-involvement in the case, and the President left the Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney, David Weiss, in charge of the investigation. This development has personal and political ramifications for President Biden, who has expressed concern for Hunter's well-being due to his past struggles with addiction. The news segment also highlights the potential impact on the President's re-election bid in 2024. Public opinion on the handling of the case is divided along partisan lines, with Republicans more critical. The segment ends by noting that while this indictment is significant, there may be further legal exposure for Hunter depending on new information. The charges against Hunter Biden are considered serious, and his defense will likely involve disputing whether he was an addict at the time, as stipulated by the statute.
1. Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, has been indicted on federal gun charges. This is the first time a sitting president's son has been indicted on federal gun charges.
2. Hunter Biden initially pleaded not guilty to the charges but was planning to plead guilty as part of a deal that would have dismissed the gun charges.
3. The deal fell through in court in July.
4. Hunter Biden is now facing three criminal counts related to the gun charge.
5. Two of these counts are related to the accusation that Hunter Biden lied on a gun application form.
6. The third count is related to the fact that he made a false claim that he wasn't using drugs during that period of time.
7. The original charge had a significant amount of jail time if convicted, perhaps up to ten years.
8. The indictment is happening against the backdrop of enormous political pressure that's been put on the special counsel in this case and the White House.
9. Earlier this week, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced a formal impeachment inquiry into the President of the United States specifically related to his son's activities.
10. The special counsel can file charges anywhere, and this has happened in Delaware, where he purchased the gun.
11. The special counsel has indicated that there is a possibility of other charges being filed in places like California, the District of Columbia.
12. Hunter Biden was indicted by the special counsel.
13. The special counsel status was placed on him so that he could investigate in other districts where he could have venue and have the powers of the special counsel.
14. The government is still going after the firearm charges that already existed to some degree in Delaware.
15. Hunter Biden was charged with something that's rarely brought.
16. When he was offered pre-trial diversion that's no longer on the table.
17. The White House has said repeatedly that it has no involvement in this case, and the President has said it's up to the Justice Department.
18. The White House also noted that President Biden left David Weiss, the Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney in Delaware, to lead this investigation.
19. This is a difficult situation for the Biden family, with President Biden with one surviving son.
20. Hunter Biden has been a political flashpoint, and the President will feel compelled or pressured at some point to talk about this.
21. Half of Americans say they have little or no confidence that the DOJ has handled this investigation well, with a stark divide between Republicans and Democrats.
22. 66% of Republicans are concerned about a relationship that the President had with this.
23. The special counsel in this case is very skeptical and making a lot of noise about Hunter Biden's business deals.
24. This is a very serious charge and it carries serious penalties.
25. The defense will likely be that he was not that person at that time.
26. The government will likely introduce evidence from Hunter's book or other evidence that has been reported that in fact he was in violation of that statute.
27. It will be very interesting to see how he defends this case.