Prosecution rests in Hunter Biden trial

Federal prosecutors called their final witnesses in their case against Hunter Biden during his trial Friday as they attempt to prove that the president’s son lied on a form when purchasing a gun in 2018.

Prosecutors called FBI forensic chemist Jason Brewer to the stand Friday. Brewer tested residue found on the leather pouch that contained Biden’s gun, and it came back positive for cocaine, though the amount was minimal. A Drug Enforcement Administration agent also testified about texts the president’s son sent to alleged dealers, The Associated Press reported.

The court is weighing whether Biden lied by denying he was a drug addict when he filled out a form when buying a firearm in October 2018.

On Thursday, jurors heard from his ex-wife and a former girlfriend who spoke about his crack cocaine addiction and their attempts to help him get clean.

In a 2021 memoir, he detailed his journey with addiction, a central theme in the trial so far.

The AP noted that prosecutors said evidence, including photos of Biden disheveled in a filthy room and half naked holding crack pipes, are necessary to prove he was addicted when he bought the gun.

Biden has been charged with three felonies. The charges include lying to a federally licensed gun dealer, making an incorrect claim on the application saying he was not a drug user and illegally having the gun for 11 days.

Biden has pleaded not guilty to the charges and claims the Department of Justice is succumbing to pressure from Republicans who want to target him.

The defense has now called its first witness, Naomi Biden, Hunter Biden’s daughter. It’s unclear whether Hunter Biden will be among future witnesses. 

Updated at 12:30 p.m. EDT