Biden's Second Son Found Guilty in 'Illegal Gun Possession' Trial

Hunter Biden to Face Tax Evasion Trial in September
Biden Also Highlights 'Second Son's Legal Risks'

Hunter Biden, the second son of U.S. President Joe Biden, was found guilty on the 11th (local time) in a trial for illegal firearm possession. Following former President Donald Trump, who was found guilty on charges related to hush money for a sexual scandal, President Biden now also faces 'judicial risks' due to issues involving his son, analysts say.

According to local media including the Associated Press on the day, the jury in Hunter Biden's trial at the U.S. District Court in Wilmington, Delaware, reached this verdict. This marks the first time in U.S. history that a sitting president's child has been criminally charged and found guilty.

Hunter Biden was indicted last year by a special prosecutor for purchasing and possessing a handgun in October 2018 while concealing his drug addiction. Although he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and a $750,000 fine for this charge, U.S. media predict that, as a first-time offender not involved in any violent incident, he is unlikely to receive a severe prison sentence.

The sentencing date has not been announced, but the court stated that it usually occurs 120 days after the verdict. It is expected that the sentencing will take place in early October, about a month before the presidential election.

Accordingly, President Biden, who is seeking re-election in November, is also considered to be facing judicial risks in earnest, similar to former President Trump. While the difference lies in that Trump faces judicial risks personally and Biden faces them through his son, there are concerns that President Biden could be negatively affected in his election campaign due to his son's legal troubles.

Hunter Biden is also currently indicted on tax evasion charges. This trial will be held in September in Los Angeles (LA). Unlike the personal issue of illegal firearm possession, the tax evasion charges are linked to allegations that Hunter Biden was appointed as an executive at the Ukrainian energy company Burisma Holdings during President Biden’s vice presidency, allegedly benefiting from his father's influence and receiving large sums of money. Experts suggest that this charge poses a greater threat to President Biden’s re-election bid than the illegal firearm possession case involving his son.