Hunter Biden has been ordered to appear in person for his arraignment on federal gun charges.
The ruling was made by United States Magistrate Judge Christopher Burke from the District of Delaware, who emphasized that Biden should not receive any “special treatment.”
The 53-year-old Biden had requested to make his first court appearance virtually, a request that was firmly opposed by Special Counsel David Weiss’ team.
Weiss charged Biden with making false statements during his purchase of a firearm and providing incorrect information required by a federally licensed gun dealer. Additionally, Biden faces a charge of possessing a firearm while being an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.
BREAKING: Hunter Biden has a mugshot from July. Primetime is on the case. pic.twitter.com/hP8LBfIx69
— Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) September 20, 2023
Biden’s legal team had informed the court that he would not be pleading guilty to these charges.
However, the judge’s decision means Biden will now have to face the court in person, just like any other defendant. This move is seen as a strong message that no one is above the law, not even the son of the President.
This isn’t the first time Biden has found himself in hot water over firearms. In 2018, a gun owned by him was discovered in a trash can outside a market in Delaware.
A review of a firearm transaction statement revealed that Biden had purchased the firearm earlier that month. Interestingly, on the transaction report, Biden denied being an “unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance.”
🚨Jesse Watters on Hunter Biden’s Mugshot: “If a U.S. Marshal merely searches the database for Hunter Biden, it will be flagged and that U.S. Marshal will be fired.” pic.twitter.com/0xksTPbvj6
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 21, 2023
The arraignment, initially scheduled for September 26th, has been rescheduled to October 3rd. The in-person court appearance is set to take place at 10 a.m. in Delaware. Weiss’ opposition filing highlighted the seriousness of the felony gun charges at stake in this case.
Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, expressed his belief the charges are barred by an agreement made with the prosecutors and recent rulings by several federal courts declaring the statute unconstitutional.
He also maintains that Biden did not violate the law and plans to demonstrate this in court. This case marks the first time Weiss has brought charges against Biden since assuming the role of special counsel.
