President Joe Biden is issuing a statement about his son, Hunter Biden, as his trial for federal gun charges is starting jury selection.
In a statement on Monday, Joe Biden said, “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. A lot of families have loved ones who have overcome addiction and know what we mean.”
“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. 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,” he added.
This is not the first time Joe Biden has spoke about his son’s legal problems. Last year, the president insisted Hunter Biden did “nothing wrong.”
During a segment of NBC’s “Meet The Press” Sunday, host Peter Alexander read an except from an op-ed published by The Wall Street Journal after the comment that asserted it was a “highly inappropriate message from the president.”
“He’s essentially telling prosecutors that they are wrong to bring an indictment because Hunter is innocent of any criminal behavior,” the Journal added.
Alexander asked House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), “Why was it appropriate for President Biden to publicly comment on his son’s case?”
“President Biden commented as a loving father,” Jeffries answered.
He added, “As I would hope any loving father would do.”
He went on:
“Hunter Biden, of course, is entitled, as was Donald Trump, to the presumption of innocence and to a trial by a jury of his peers. And this Justice Department is going to proceed in that fashion. Present the facts in the law, and then we’ll all have to wait for a determination that is made by a jury as to Hunter Biden’s guilt or innocence.”
Hunter Biden was charged last year for allegedly falsifying a firearm application. At first it appeared he would not face a trial after he agreed to a plea deal. However, the deal fell apart in court last summer amid scrutiny of what critics its sweetheart provisions.
