By Aaron Miller-
Hunter Biden, the son of U.S. President Joe Biden, has been indicted on three federal firearms-related charges, escalating the legal woes surrounding him.
This indictment follows unsuccessful attempts to reach a plea deal and marks the first-ever prosecution of a sitting president’s child.
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The charges, filed in a Delaware federal court are linked to the possession of a firearm while using narcotics, setting the stage for a courtroom drama that will unfold against the backdrop of the highly anticipated 2024 U.S. presidential campaign.
His father, President Joe Biden, at 80 years old, is seeking re-election, likely facing his predecessor, Donald Trump, 77, in a rematch.
Trump himself has an uphill battle on his hands with four upcoming criminal trials, making the 2024 campaign an extraordinary legal battleground.
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The charges against Hunter Biden encompass two counts related to his alleged false declaration on a form that he was not using illegal drugs when he purchased a revolver in October 2018.
The third charge asserts that he possessed a firearm while using a narcotic.
These charges, however, are not the only legal troubles facing the 53-year-old Biden scion.
Hunter Biden has been under investigation for his business dealings, with the special counsel overseeing the case hinting that additional charges related to failure to pay taxes on time could be filed, either in Washington or California, where he resides.
Previously, there had been a plea deal on the table that included a gun possession charge against Biden, alongside guilty pleas to misdemeanor tax charges. However, this agreement unraveled during a court hearing in July when a judge raised concerns about its unconventional provisions.
Defense lawyers have since argued that a portion of the deal that shields Biden from prosecution on the gun charge if he stays out of trouble remains valid, including immunity provisions against other potential charges. In contrast, prosecutors contend that the agreement never came into effect and is now null and void.
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