On Tuesday, the president’s son, Hunter Biden, had his Washington, D.C. law license suspended by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals after a Delaware jury convicted him of three felony counts for lying on a federal firearms form in 2018.
“On consideration of an accurate copy of the indictment and jury verdict form filed in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware demonstration that the respondent was found guilty of three felony counts and it appearing that the offenses are ‘serious crimes,'” the order reads, adding that the Board on Professional Responsibility will be beginning formal proceedings into the 54-year-old Biden.
Hunter passed the bar in the District of Columbia in 2007 after earning his law degree from Yale Law School and passing the Connecticut bar in 1997. The president’s son still has his law license in Connecticut, but it was administratively suspended in 2023 after he failed to pay a small fee.
As previously reported by the DC Enquirer, the jury found Hunter guilty of making false statements on ATF Form 4473 while purchasing his Cobra Colt .38 in October 2018. The 12 Delaware residents also found him guilty of possessing a firearm while addicted to an illegal substance. Hunter Biden, who suffered from drug addiction problems during that period, pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, and he is likely to appeal the verdict. Hunter’s defense team attempted to argue that he didn’t lie on the ATF form because he believed at the time that he was addicted to an illegal substance like cocaine.
Hunter is facing up to 25 years in prison, and the judge could make him pay upwards of a $250,000 fine per offense. However, the sentence Hunter receives will be up to U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika. While the charges carry significant weight, the president’s son isn’t expected to be sent to prison, given that he is a first offender.
Despite being found guilty, President Biden said he was “proud” of his son for overcoming his addiction. “As I said last week, I am the President, but I am also a Dad,” Biden began. “Jill and I love our son, and we are proud of the man he is today. So many families who have had loved ones battle addiction understand the feeling of pride seeing someone you love come out the other side and be so strong and resilient in recovery. As I also said last week, I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal. Jill and I will always be there for Hunter and the rest of the family with our love and support. Nothing will ever change that.”