Hunter Biden’s lawyers rested their case Monday in the federal criminal trial against the president’s son without calling him to testify in his own defense. Biden faces charges of lying about his drug use when he bought a gun in 2018.
Biden’s attorney Abbe Lowell told the judge Friday that they were “down to that last decision” of whether to call the defendant.
The prosecution accuses Biden of making two false statements when filling out the paperwork to purchase the revolver. The 54-year-old father of four claimed not to be addicted to or actively using illegal drugs when filling out the form, and he also claimed his statement was true. The prosecution alleges he was addicted to crack cocaine during that period. Prosecutors have also alleged that he unlawfully possessed the weapon for 11 days.
“Addiction may not be a choice, but lying and buying a gun is a choice,” Prosecutor Derek Hines said in his opening statement.
Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to the charges.
On Friday, the prosecution presented evidence of Biden’s crack cocaine addiction in the years leading up to and around the time he purchased a Colt Revolver in October 2018. Biden’s lawyers argue the prosecutors haven’t offered evidence their client was on drugs when he signed a federal form attesting that he was not using illegal substances, which he signed in order to buy the gun. The defense denies that Biden took drugs during the 11 days he possessed the gun.
The prosecution has called several witnesses to the stand, including Biden’s ex-wife Kathleen Buhle, his ex-girlfriend Zoe Kestan, and Hallie Biden, his brother Beau’s widow. Biden was romantically involved with Hallie after his brother’s death in 2015.
Hallie Biden, who some have called the prosecution’s star witness, “panicked” after finding the weapon, she said.
“I didn’t want him to hurt himself or the kids to find it and hurt themselves,” she said.
Gordon Cleveland, who allegedly sold Hunter Biden the revolver, and Biden’s oldest daughter, Naomi, testified on Friday.
Hunter Biden did not seem confused by the form when he sold him the firearm almost six years ago, Cleveland testified.
President Joe Biden has not been present at the trial. Other members of the Biden family, such as first lady Jill Biden and the defendant’s half-sister Ashley Biden, have attended.
The president said last week that he would accept the jury’s verdict and has ruled out a pardon for his son.
