Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, will plead not guilty to federal firearms charges, according to court documents filed by his lawyers on Tuesday. These charges were brought after a plea deal in an ongoing federal investigation fell apart.
The indictment against Biden alleges that he lied about his drug use when purchasing a firearm in October 2018. During this time, Biden has openly admitted to struggling with addiction to crack cocaine. It is also alleged that he kept the firearm for 11 days.
The special counsel overseeing the case recently filed a three-count indictment, indicating that the case may proceed to trial. This development sets the stage for a potentially high-stakes trial as the 2024 election approaches.
In an effort to minimize costs and logistical challenges, Biden is requesting to enter his plea remotely through a video conference. This would eliminate the need for Secret Service protection as he travels from California, where he currently resides, to Delaware. However, prosecutors are expected to oppose this request.
In addition to the firearms charges, Hunter Biden has also been under investigation for his business dealings. The special counsel has indicated that tax charges may be filed in either Washington or California in the future.
Sources: Court documents, unnamed special counsel
