BBC
Ahead of opening statements in Hunter Biden’s gun possession trial, which are expected on Tuesday, his father released a statement that illustrated the fine line he is trying to walk in the midst of his re-election campaign.
“I am the president, but I am also a dad,” said President Joe Biden as jury selection began on Monday.
His statement went on to express support for his son, who could face up to 25 years in prison for allegedly lying about his drug addiction when filling out background documents for a 2018 handgun purchase.
“As president, I don’t and won’t comment on pending federal cases,” he continued. “But as a dad, I have boundless love for my son, confidence in him and respect for his strength.”
Hunter Biden’s struggles with drug addiction are common knowledge at this point. He has discussed them publicly and written about them in his memoir – revelations that will soon act as evidence in his trial and fodder for public consumption.
Joe Biden has previously publicly addressed his son’s tumultuous personal life. In the first presidential debate with Donald Trump in 2020, he said he was “proud” of his only surviving son.
“My son, like a lot of people you know at home, had a drug problem,” he said. “He’s overtaken it. He’s fixed it. He’s worked on it.”
Four years ago, President Biden was responding to Trump’s attacks on the debate stage. Now, however, his statement could be an attempt to defuse what is shaping up to be a politically fraught moment, where his son’s troubled past – and, by extension, that of the entire Biden family – will be on full display.
