Hunter Biden's Trial Offers Window Into Family Struggles as President Biden Fends Off Republicans' Attacks
The trial of Hunter Biden, the president's son, for allegedly lying to purchase a gun has been plunged into controversy after it was revealed that prosecutors want to question his sister-in-law, Hallie Biden, who is the widow of President Biden's son, Beau.
The investigation has also turned up a series of text messages between Hunter and Hallie from 2018, in which they discuss a gun purchase that ended with Hallie dumping the gun in a grocery store trash can.
The texts show the complicated nature of their relationship, which was marked by turmoil and drug use, and they reveal a fiery exchange between the two after Hallie dumped the gun.
The prosecution argues that Hunter lied about his drug use on a form when he bought the gun, while the defense claims that the gun shop owner who sold Hunter the gun did not properly follow procedures.
The case, which begins this week, is expected to bring up questions about the Biden family's history of drug use and the alleged cover-up of Hunter's behavior, creating yet another distraction for the Biden administration as it faces increasing Republican attacks ahead of the midterm elections.
One source close to the Biden family said that the president was worried about his son and had ensured that he would be in Wilmington, Delaware,, close to the federal courthouse where the trial will take place when it begins on Monday.
Background: Hunter Biden and his brother, Beau, the son of Joe Biden, were inseparable growing up and chose to pursue law careers. However, Beau's death from brain cancer in 2015 left Hunter in a downward spiral, leading to drug addiction and several controversial relationships.
Despite his struggles, Hunter became the subject of suspicion when his apparent rehabilitation and new relationship with Hallie Olivere, Beau's widow, became public.
In 2017, Kathleen Biden, Hunter's ex-wife, discovered that he was having an affair with Hallie, resulting in a divorce.
A year later, in 2018, Hallie discovered a gun in Hunter's truck and, concerned about his drug use, threw it away in a grocery store trash can.
The incident led to a text argument between Hallie and Hunter, with him accusing her of being reckless and unhinged, while she accused him of trying to make her relapse.
After police were called, they retrieved the gun, and Hunter was charged with lying on a gun purchase form.
While the prosecution argues that he lied about his drug use, the defense claims that the gun shop owner did not properly follow procedures.
The case, which begins on Monday, is likely to bring up questions about the Biden family's history of drug use and the alleged cover-up of Hunter's behavior, creating yet another distraction for the Biden administration.
It remains to be seen whether the testimony of Hallie Biden and other witnesses will bring up further allegations of cover-ups within the family, potentially causing more embarrassment for the president as he tries to defend his policies ahead of the midterm elections.