Devendra Kumar
Hunter Biden’s federal gun case will proceed to trial in Delaware as a US appeals court has ruled against his bid to dismiss the prosecution. The case is set to begin on June 3 and is expected to last three to six days. Biden’s lawyers had appealed the decision of the judge overseeing the case, US District Judge Maryellen Noreika, who had rejected their bid to dismiss the charges.
Despite the appeal’s rejection, Biden’s legal team has vowed to continue fighting the case, and may ask the full appeals court to review the decision. In an emailed statement, defense lawyer Abbe Lowell said, “In reviewing the panel’s decision, we believe the issues involved are too important and further review of our request is appropriate.”
Biden is accused of lying about his drug use on a form to buy a gun in 2018, which he kept for about 11 days in Delaware. He has acknowledged an addiction to crack cocaine during that period, but maintains that he did not break the law. The investigation had initially looked ready to wrap up with a plea deal, but the agreement imploded after a judge raised questions about it, leading to Biden’s subsequent indictment.
Biden’s lawyers have argued that prosecutors were under pressure to indict him due to political criticism from Republicans, including former President Donald Trump. They have also challenged the appointment of Delaware US attorney David Weiss as special counsel to lead the prosecution. Prosecutors, however, have countered that the evidence against Biden is “overwhelming” and that charges were filed during the presidency of his father.
In her ruling last month, Judge Noreika rejected the defense’s claims, stating that there was “nothing credible” to suggest that politicians or others had any impact on the special counsel, adding that the defense’s arguments were based on speculation. The stage is now set for Biden to stand trial on the gun charge, amidst his father’s re-election campaign.