Hunter Biden gun trial updates: Jury of 12 seated, Jill Biden in attendance on her birthday

The president's son faces charges of unlawfully obtaining a firearm.

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Last updated: Monday, June 3, 2024 11:14PM GMT
Jury of 12 seated in Hunter Biden gun trial

WILMINGTON, Delaware -- President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden is on trial in Delaware on three felony charges related to his efforts to obtain a firearm in 2018 while allegedly addicted to drugs.

The younger Biden, who pleaded not guilty last September after being indicted by special counsel David Weiss, has denied the charges. The son of a sitting president has never before faced a criminal trial.

The trial comes on the heels of former President Donald Trump's conviction on felony charges related to a 2016 hush money payment made to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.

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Jun 03, 2024, 3:36 PM

President Biden says he has 'boundless love' for his son

President Joe Biden said in a statement issued this morning that he has "boundless love" for his son.

"I am the President, but I am also a Dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today. Hunter's resilience in the face of adversity and the strength he has brought to his recovery are inspiring to us," Biden said in the statement as jury selection got underway.

"A lot of families have loved ones who have overcome addiction and know what we mean," the president said.

"As the President, I don't and won't comment on pending federal cases, but as a Dad, I have boundless love for my son, confidence in him, and respect for his strength," he said. "Our family has been through a lot together, and Jill and I are going to continue to be there for Hunter and our family with our love and support."

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Jun 03, 2024, 8:27 PM

Jury is seated

The jury of 12 jurors and 4 alternates has been seated in Hunter Biden's federal gun trial.

The panel was picked from 250 prospective jurors who arrived at the courthouse this morning for the voir dire process.

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Jun 03, 2024, 3:36 PM GMT

President Biden says he has 'boundless love' for his son

President Joe Biden said in a statement issued this morning that he has "boundless love" for his son.

"I am the President, but I am also a Dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today. Hunter's resilience in the face of adversity and the strength he has brought to his recovery are inspiring to us," Biden said in the statement as jury selection got underway.

"A lot of families have loved ones who have overcome addiction and know what we mean," the president said.

"As the President, I don't and won't comment on pending federal cases, but as a Dad, I have boundless love for my son, confidence in him, and respect for his strength," he said. "Our family has been through a lot together, and Jill and I are going to continue to be there for Hunter and our family with our love and support."

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Jun 03, 2024, 1:46 PM GMT

1st batch of 50 jurors sworn in

Hunter Biden's arrival through the front entrance of the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building this morning means he would have passed an enormous portrait of his father, which hangs in every federal courthouse in the country.

The first batch of 50 jurors were sworn in by Judge Noreika, who instructed them not to discuss the case with anyone, including family, or to conduct any research on the case or to read any news about it.

Reporters monitoring the proceedings from the overflow room could not hear most of Noreika's statement due to technical difficulties. As technicians tried to fix the issue, they turned on a TV that happened to be playing an attack ad against Joe Biden.

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Jun 03, 2024, 12:56 PM GMT

Hunter Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive for jury selection

President Joe Biden's son Hunter arrived at court on Monday. First lady Jill Biden entered the courthouse shortly after.

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Jun 03, 2024, 12:19 PM GMT

Prospective jurors will be asked about president

Two hundred and fifty Delaware residents have been summoned to the courthouse in downtown Wilmington, where they will face typical questions about their fitness to serve as jurors.

But because this is the trial of the son of a sitting president, there will be some novel topics covered during the jury selection process known as "voir dire."

Among the questions jurors will be asked: "If you were eligible to vote in any election(s) in which Joseph R. Biden was a candidate, would that fact prevent you from maintaining an open, impartial mind until all of the evidence is presented, and the instructions of the Court are given?"

And "Do you believe Robert Hunter Biden is being prosecuted in this case because his father is the President of the United States and a candidate for President?"