President Biden on Tuesday said he would accept the outcome of his son’s conviction after Hunter Biden was found guilty on all three felony gun charges.
In a statement released shortly after Hunter Biden’s verdict was read in federal court in Wilmington, Del., the president, who is currently in Washington, said he would respect the judicial process as his son weighs an appeal of the outcome.
“As I said last week, I am the President, but I am also a Dad. I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today,” President Biden said. “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.”
The president’s statement also appealed to other families whose loved ones have struggled with addiction as Hunter Biden’s drug use was aired out in great detail during the trial. The charges involve Hunter Biden lying on a form about being addicted to drugs while obtaining a firearm in 2018.
“Jill and I love our son, and we are so 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,” the president said.
Biden added that he and first lady Jill Biden, who attended most of Hunter Biden’s trial and was in the Wilmington courthouse moments after the verdict on Tuesday, will always be there for their son.
“Nothing will ever change that,” he said.
Hunter Biden was convicted after roughly three hours of deliberation, marking the first criminal conviction of a sitting president’s child.
Biden previously released a statement to voice support for his son at the start of the trial, but said he would not comment on his federal trial. The president reiterated last week that he won’t pardon his son and he would accept the outcome of the trial.