UPDATE: On Monday, a jury was seated in the federal gun case against Hunter Biden, with prospective panelists questioned about their views on gun rights and drug addiction as First Lady Jill Biden observed from the front row. Opening statements are set for Tuesday, with the jury comprising six men and six women, plus four female alternates. Judge Maryellen Noreika instructed them not to discuss or read about the case. This trial follows Hunter Biden’s not guilty plea to charges related to his 2018 firearm purchase during a period of drug addiction, as detailed in his memoir. The collapse of a controversial plea deal has led to this public trial, much to the dissatisfaction of congressional Republicans who criticized the initial agreement as overly lenient.

During the court proceedings, Hunter Biden approached his stepmother, First Lady Jill Biden, to hug and kiss her on the cheek, acknowledging her 73rd birthday. Also present were Hunter Biden’s sister, Ashley Biden, and his wife, Melissa. The trial’s commencement coincides with heightened political tensions, just days after former President Donald Trump was convicted of 34 felonies in an unrelated case in New York. This trial not only brings Hunter Biden’s darkest moments under public scrutiny but also raises concerns among the president’s allies about its potential impact on President Biden’s campaign, especially as he prepares for an upcoming debate with Trump. Additionally, President Joe Biden stated in December 2023 that he would not pardon his son if convicted, reaffirming his stance on not intervening in his son’s legal trouble.

See the tweet below for updates to the docket for the trial:

New minute entry in U.S. v. Hunter Biden (gun charges): Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Maryellen Noreika – Jury Trial Day One as to Robert Hunter Biden held on 6/3/2024 (Court Reporter Dale Hawkins.) (mdb)

Docket: https://t.co/PRic8wLjYA#CL67511701

— Big Cases Bot (@big_cases) June 4, 2024

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EARLIER: Hunter Biden’s criminal trial will kick off with jury selection on Monday morning in Delaware, stemming from federal gun charges brought against him by special counsel David Weiss. This trial follows Hunter Biden’s not guilty plea to charges of making false statements in the purchase of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a user of controlled substances, and related offenses. Combined, these charges could result in up to 25 years in prison, with each count carrying a maximum fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release.

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This trial begins nearly a year after Judge Maryellen Noreika questioned a controversial plea deal that appeared to offer broad immunity to Hunter Biden, which was strongly criticized by congressional Republicans as a “sweetheart” deal.

According to the indictment, Hunter Biden purchased a Colt Cobra revolver on October 12, 2018, falsely certifying that he was not an unlawful user of controlled substances. He possessed the gun for nearly a week despite his narcotics addiction. Fox News reported in 2021 that police responded to an incident in October 2018, when a gun owned by Hunter was discarded in a trash can by Hallie Biden, widow of President Biden’s late son, Beau.

Further complicating the case, Judge Noreika has ruled that certain salacious evidence, including references to Hunter’s Navy discharge and child support case, cannot be used. However, parts of Hunter Biden’s book discussing his drug addiction may be included. The prosecution will selectively introduce evidence from Hunter’s infamous laptop, which leaked in 2020 and was dismissed as Russian disinformation by former intelligence officials. A post from X shows the purported videos from the laptop, which would be damning if used as evidence:

Joe Biden said Friday that “no one is above the law.”

Here’s Hunter Biden weighing crack on a scale and arguing with an underage prostįtute he hired.

When’s Hunter being indicted for blatant illegal drug possession and human sęx trafficking of minors?pic.twitter.com/zf8OSV4arC

— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) June 2, 2024

Special counsel Weiss is also investigating Hunter Biden’s pending federal tax trial in California, separate from the Delaware proceedings. Hunter faces charges related to a “four-year scheme” of unpaid taxes totaling $1.4 million, although these have since been paid. Judge Mark Scarsi has scheduled this tax trial for June 20, despite a request from Hunter Biden’s attorneys for a delay.

In other news, it’s Jill Biden’s birthday today. A social media user posts a video of how she is allegedly spending her big day:

Oh, look, Fake Doctor Jill Biden has shown up to support Crackhead Hunter Biden in court today.
It would have been nice if she had supported her daughter Ashley when her sick husband was taking showers with her when she was 11 years old. pic.twitter.com/73mb2v63nG

— Vince Langman (@LangmanVince) June 3, 2024