Hunter Biden’s Gun Case Goes to Trial

Jill Biden, sporting a purple blazer and scribbling on a white authorized pad, sat within the first row of a colorless fourth-floor courtroom on Monday, in a present of assist for her son, Hunter, on the primary day of his trial on federal firearms prices.

The primary girl, who adopted hours of mundane interviews with dozens of potential jurors earlier than the panel was chosen on Monday afternoon, rose to her ft when the choose known as a brief break about midway by way of. She walked slowly over to her son, provided an extended hug, then stroked his cheek.

The opening hours of jury choice in Mr. Biden’s trial on prices that he lied about his drug use in making use of to purchase a handgun in 2018 have been, as anticipated, a high-stakes political spectacle — with a throng of reporters crowding the courthouse whereas TV crews did stay pictures, almost nonstop, after dawn.

However the presence of Mr. Biden’s household and associates, together with his spouse, Melissa Cohen Biden, his half sister, Ashley Biden, and his shut good friend Kevin Morris, served as a reminder that the trial was additionally a profound private disaster for a household that has had greater than its share of travails — in the midst of essentially the most unforgiving presidential marketing campaign in latest reminiscence.

“Jill and I really like our son, and we’re so pleased with the person he’s right this moment,” President Biden mentioned in a press release issued after the continuing started.

“Hunter’s resilience within the face of adversity and the power he has dropped at his restoration are inspiring to us,” added Mr. Biden, who spent Sunday night time along with his son on the household home in Wilmington. “Our household has been by way of rather a lot collectively, and Jill and I are going to proceed to be there for Hunter and our household with our love and assist.”