Donald Trump and fellow Republicans expressed disappointment and dissatisfaction with Tuesday’s guilty verdict for Hunter Biden on three felony gun charges, a ruling that undermines Trump’s narrative that President Joe Biden has weaponized the DOJ against the former president.
Hunter Biden was found guilty of lying on a gun application by denying his drug use at the time. Trump reacted by voicing unexpected support for the younger Biden.
“It’s hard to blame him for wanting a gun, which is his God-given right under the 2nd Amendment,” Trump said in a statement, calling it the “best Amendment of them all.”
Trump then criticized President Joe Biden, accusing him of not using the Justice Department to protect his son. This stands in stark contrast to ongoing Republican claims that Biden uses the DOJ to unfairly target Trump and his supporters.
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The conviction of Hunter Biden complicates the Republican narrative by demonstrating that the DOJ is willing to pursue charges against the President’s own son, suggesting an impartial application of justice.
Trump also indicated he would be willing to pardon Hunter Biden, a stance Joe Biden has explicitly rejected, telling ABC News reporter David Muir that he would not pardon his son if convicted.
Trump accused Joe Biden of playing politics with his son’s trial, saying, “Joe is more concerned with pleasing the gun control lobby, so he won’t have the courage to step in and help Hunter. Don’t worry, Joe – I will Save your son after I get elected (for the third time)!”
The conviction of Hunter Biden challenges the idea that Joe Biden manipulates the Justice Department for personal and political gain, serving as a significant counterpoint to claims of DOJ bias.
Naturally, Republicans are not taking this well.
Hard-right Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz called the conviction “kinda dumb.” South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace wrote on social media that the guilty verdict and prosecution were part of a scheme to preserve “the veil of fairness in the Justice System” under President Joe Biden.
Turning Point USA CEO Charlie Kirk, a prominent right-wing youth leader and close Trump ally, described the proceedings as “a fake trial trying to make the Justice system appear ‘balanced.’”
Stephen Miller, a senior advisor to Trump, said the gun charges are “a giant misdirection” and a ploy for the Department of Justice “to sell to a pliant media that is all too willing to be duped.”
Trump denounces the Hunter Biden verdict, says Biden did it to make gun control people happy.
I’m surprised he didn’t say it was to make the Trump prosecution look legitimate. Perhaps that’s too stupid for him. Trump has always been less conspiratorial than right wing media! pic.twitter.com/ylhNjaL4i9
— Richard Hanania (@RichardHanania) June 11, 2024
