In addition to the gun-related charges, Hunter Biden is also facing federal tax charges, as announced by Special Counsel David Weiss.
Former President Donald Trump suggested that President Joe Biden may face criminal charges after leaving office, stating during the CNN Presidential Debate on Thursday that "he could be a convicted felon as soon as he gets out of office."
Trump's comment came in response to Biden's earlier remark, which labelled Trump a "convicted felon" in reference to his recent guilty verdict in New York v. Trump.
In that instance, Trump was convicted of falsifying business records in the first degree. Despite the verdict, Trump maintained his innocence and countered Biden's criticism, defending his actions.
"When he talks about a convicted felon, his son is a convicted felon at a very high level," Trump said of Biden’s son, Hunter Biden Fox News reports.
Hunter Biden was convicted on multiple federal gun-related charges this month, as announced by Special Counsel David Weiss. The charges included making false statements during a gun purchase, providing false information to a licensed gun dealer, and possessing a firearm while being an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.
"His son is convicted, going to be convicted probably numerous other times, should have been convicted before. But his Justice Department let the statute of limitations lapse on the most important things," Trump said.
In addition to the gun-related charges, Hunter Biden is also facing federal tax charges, as announced by Special Counsel David Weiss.
The tax-related trial is scheduled to commence on September 5 in California. Meanwhile, Trump suggested that President Biden may potentially face legal charges after leaving office, although no formal charges have been filed against the President at this time.
"But he could be a convicted felon as soon as he gets out of office – Joe could be a convicted felon with all of the things that he's done. He's done horrible things," Trump said. "All of the deaths caused at the border, telling the Ukrainian people that we're going to want $1 billion, you could change the prosecutor, otherwise you're not getting $1 billion."
Trump was referencing remarks made by Joe Biden during his vice presidency. Biden has publicly acknowledged that he successfully pushed for the dismissal of Ukrainian prosecutor Viktor Shokin while serving as vice president.
At the time, Shokin was leading an investigation into Burisma Holdings, a company that had Hunter Biden on its board, earning a substantial monthly income. Vice President Biden threatened to withhold $1 billion in crucial US aid unless Shokin was removed from his position.
"I said, ‘You’re not getting the billion. I’m going to be leaving here in,' I think it was about six hours. I looked at them and said: ‘I’m leaving in six hours. If the prosecutor is not fired, you’re not getting the money,’" Biden recalled telling then-Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. Biden recollected the conversation during an event for the Council on Foreign Relations in 2018.
"Well, son of a bitch, he got fired," Biden said during the event. "And they put in place someone who was solid at the time."
Supporters of Biden argue that, as vice president, he advocated for Shokin's dismissal due to concerns that the Ukrainian prosecutor was not adequately addressing corruption. They emphasize that this position was in line with the policy stance of the US and international community at the time, aiming to promote accountability and transparency in Ukraine.
"If I ever said that, that's quid pro quo, that we're not going to do anything. We're not going to give you $1 billion unless you change your prosecutor having to do with his son," Trump said Thursday night.
Trump declared: "This man is a criminal."
"I did nothing wrong," Trump said. "We have a system that was rigged and disgusting. I did nothing wrong."
Beyond the charges in New York, Trump is facing charges brought against him by Special Counsel Jack Smith stemming from his investigation into Trump’s alleged improper retention of classified business records. Smith also charged Trump out of his investigation into January 6 and 2020 election interference.
Trump also faces charges stemming from an investigation brought by Fulton County, Ga. District Attorney Fani Willis.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges in all cases.