In Wilmington, Delaware, the jury for Hunter Biden's felony gun trial was officially sworn in on Monday. Throughout the day, a sizable pool of potential jurors underwent questioning to determine their ability to remain impartial during this high-profile case. Various topics, including gun ownership, addiction, and the Biden family's deep roots in Delaware, were discussed.

Opening statements are slated to commence on Tuesday, with the initial testimony expected from an FBI agent who conducted the investigation into the matter. Hunter Biden faces three felony charges related to allegations of providing false information on a federal gun form in 2018, specifically regarding his reported drug addiction.

Present at the start of proceedings were First Lady Jill Biden, Hunter Biden's wife Melissa Cohen Biden, and his sister, Ashley Biden.

President Joe Biden has adjusted his schedule to be present in Wilmington for the opening day of his son's trial, although he will not personally attend. Hunter Biden's trial follows closely on the heels of former President Donald Trump's recent conviction for falsifying business records in New York and the dramatic unraveling of a plea agreement with federal investigators last year.

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The White House emphasizes that Hunter Biden's trial is "absolutely not" hindering President Joe Biden from fulfilling his duties.

Staying in Wilmington, Delaware, until after a jury was selected for his son's trial on federal gun charges, President Biden prioritizes the needs of the American people, assured Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House principal deputy press secretary. She affirmed, "He always prioritizes the American people and is fully capable of carrying out his duties.

What charges is Hunter Biden facing?

The president's son is charged with three firearms felonies. In October 2018, Hunter Biden purchased a revolver from a gun shop north of Wilmington, Delaware. Federal regulations mandate that firearm purchasers complete a standardized form, including a question regarding unlawful drug use or addiction. Biden is alleged to have answered "no" to this question despite his documented struggle with crack cocaine addiction, as detailed in his 2021 memoir, "Beautiful Things," and discussed in a court hearing last year where he claimed sobriety since 2019.

If found guilty, Biden could face a maximum prison sentence of 25 years, though first-time and non-violent offenders typically receive shorter terms.

You can't swing a cat without hearing something.

When questioned by the judge about prior knowledge of the case, one potential juror from Delaware remarked, "I live in Delaware, you can't swing a cat without hearing something." Despite admitting to hearing about the case through the news, he clarified that he hadn't actively researched it.

The prosecutors sought to dismiss him from the jury pool due to his personal connection to addiction within his family and his strong belief in second chances. He expressed, "I think after people have been recovering, they need a second chance. Everybody needs a second chance." However, he also noted uncertainty about the timing of such opportunities, emphasizing individual circumstances.

While he affirmed that his beliefs wouldn't affect his ability to assess evidence, the judge allowed him to remain in the jury pool.

Is it within Joe Biden's authority to grant a pardon to Hunter Biden?

While there's no specific prohibition against a president pardoning a family member, it's improbable that Joe Biden would intervene if Hunter Biden is convicted on federal charges.

Last year, the White House explicitly stated that President Biden wouldn't exercise his presidential authority to pardon his son. Despite no indication from the president about plans to pardon Hunter Biden, some critics have raised speculations to the contrary.

The court is making headway in the process of selecting jurors.

Up to this point, the court has reviewed over three dozen potential jurors, with twenty-four chosen to remain in the jury pool. The selection process will persist until a pool of 36 jurors is established. Subsequently, both parties will be allowed "peremptory strikes" until the pool is narrowed down to 16.
The final pool will consist of 12 jurors and four alternates who will be on standby to replace any of the 12 jurors if they are dismissed during the trial.

Juror interviews frequently touch upon the topic of drug addiction.

A prevalent theme emerging from the juror interviews is the profound impact of addiction within families and among loved ones. Numerous individuals have shared with the court their personal experiences, with some becoming visibly emotional while discussing their connections to addiction. Some have revealed the heartbreaking loss of loved ones to addiction.

However, these experiences haven't automatically disqualified potential jurors, as many have affirmed their ability to remain impartial in assessing the evidence.

Will Hunter Biden's daughters attend the trial?

Hunter Biden's children were absent from Monday's trial proceedings. Hunter Biden and Melissa Cohen Biden share a 4-year-old son named Beau Biden. Additionally, Hunter Biden and his ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle, have three adult daughters: Naomi Biden, Finnegan Biden, and Maisy Biden.

Lunden Roberts, the mother of Hunter Biden's youngest daughter, is anticipated to testify in the case. Whether she will bring their 5-year-old daughter, Navy Joan Roberts, to the courthouse remains unclear.

What became of Hunter Biden's plea deal?

After U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika rejected a plea agreement in July, Justice Department special counsel David Weiss obtained two indictments against Hunter Biden for gun and tax charges. Weiss, who served as U.S. attorney in Delaware, had been investigating Biden for an extended period. The proposed agreement involved Biden pleading guilty to two misdemeanors for nonpayment of taxes in 2017 and 2018, and participating in a pretrial program related to a gun charge.

While the agreement could have potentially spared Biden from incarceration, congressional Republicans criticized it as a preferential treatment. However, Noreika raised concerns during hearings about whether the deal would shield Biden from future charges, emphasizing her reluctance to simply approve the agreement without further scrutiny.



The breakdown of the plea deal resulted in Hunter Biden's indictment on three felony gun charges in Delaware, with the trial commencing on Monday. Additionally, he faces nine tax charges in California, with a trial scheduled for September 5th.

Who might be chosen as jurors?

The court deemed certain jurors qualified after they responded to inquiries regarding potential hardship in attending the trial, their past political activities, and any family members affected by addiction. Others were questioned about their local ties and interactions with the Biden family.

For instance, one potential juror disclosed that they had worked at the same college as First Lady Jill Biden for a period and had supported a campaign involving a judicial candidate opposing Hunter Biden's brother, Beau, decades ago. Despite these connections, the individual asserted that they could impartially assess the evidence and was retained in the jury pool.

Similarly, another potential juror, a bartender at Two Stones Pub in New Castle County, mentioned serving a member of the Biden family occasionally but affirmed not knowing them personally. This individual was permitted to continue participating in the jury selection process.

The court rapidly processes potential jurors.

Two hours into jury selection, several potential jurors have been excused due to concerns regarding their impartiality.

One individual was dismissed after indicating that his views on gun ownership rights could influence his perception of the law and evidence. Another potential juror disclosed that his father had served as a police officer for 30 years and his grandfather had worked for the FBI, leading him to believe he couldn't remain impartial.

Another person informed the court that they had read stories about Hunter Biden during his father's presidential campaign, expressing uncertainty about their ability to be impartial due to previous opinions formed from what they had heard.

When pressed by prosecutors about her opinion, the individual responded, "Not a good one, sorry," leading to her dismissal from the jury pool.


Hallie Biden, Lunden Roberts, and Kathleen Buhle are potential witnesses who may testify.

According to various reports, prosecutors have stated their intention to summon approximately a dozen witnesses as they present their case against Hunter Biden during the trial.

These witnesses may include Hunter Biden's former wife, Kathleen Buhle, along with Lunden Roberts, the mother of his youngest daughter. Additionally, Hallie Biden, the widow of Beau Biden, is anticipated to testify. Hallie and Hunter Biden were romantically involved following Beau Biden's passing. 

What is the anticipated duration of the trial?

According to court filings by federal prosecutors, evidence such as photos, testimony, and messages will be presented to demonstrate that Hunter Biden was using illegal drugs when he purchased the firearm, which he allegedly failed to disclose as mandated on the federal gun purchase form.

Additionally, prosecutors indicated their intent to utilize information obtained from Hunter Biden's phone, iCloud account, and the contentious laptop reportedly abandoned at a repair shop. This may include photos depicting Hunter Biden using crack cocaine and text messages arranging meetings with illicit drug suppliers.

Explore the inquiries attorneys will pose to prospective jurors for the Hunter Biden trial.

Here are the 47 questions potential jurors will undergo as Judge Maryellen Noreika seeks twelve impartial Delaware residents to participate in Hunter Biden's federal gun trial. The questionnaire delves into the core aspects of the distinctive case involving the president's son, substance abuse, and firearms. Some of the questions include:

- Do you believe Robert Hunter Biden is being prosecuted in this case because his father is the President of the United States and a candidate for President?
- Do you hold any strong negative opinions about individuals who have previously used controlled substances, narcotics, or alcohol?
- Have you or a close family member ever been involved in the purchase of a firearm (including handguns, pistols, automatic rifles, hunting rifles, or similar)?


The judge initiates the interrogation of potential jurors.

U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika has commenced the interrogation of potential jurors in Hunter Biden’s trial on gun charges, outlining protocols for participation, which include refraining from consuming media coverage. Her aim is to assemble a jury of 12 members and four alternates.

Noreika is currently assessing potential jurors' ability to impartially evaluate the case's evidence. Inquiries cover familiarity with individuals involved, as well as broader topics such as political views, attitudes toward law enforcement, and perspectives on addiction.

Those who respond affirmatively to any screening question will undergo further questioning by the judge. These interviews are presently underway. From the initial group of 50 potential jurors, only one did not answer affirmatively to a screening question, indicating that the selection process may be protracted.

As the trial commences, President Joe Biden offers his support to Hunter.

President Joe Biden released a statement on Monday expressing his support for his son as Hunter Biden's federal gun trial commences.

"Jill and I love our son, and we are incredibly proud of the man he has become," stated Joe Biden. "Hunter's resilience in the face of challenges and the strength he has shown in his recovery journey are truly inspiring to us."

While refraining from commenting on pending federal cases as president, Joe Biden conveyed his confidence in his son and expressed respect for him.

"Our family has faced numerous trials together, and Jill and I will continue to stand by Hunter and our family, offering our unwavering love and support," Joe Biden concluded.