US President Joe Biden has expressed his support and love for his son, Hunter Biden, after he was found guilty of federal firearms crimes.
"I am the President, but I am also a Dad," Biden said.
"So many families who have had loved ones battle addiction understand the feeling of pride seeing someone you love come out the other side and be so strong and resilient in recovery.
"I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal."
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The 54-year-old was found guilty on all three felony counts arising from his 2018 purchase of a pistol while addicted to crack cocaine, marking the first criminal conviction of a sitting US president's child.
The judgment comes as his father is running for reelection, and the Democratic president has changed his plans to visit Wilmington, Delaware, the family hometown where the trial was conducted.
Hunter Biden was waiting on the airstrip as Marine One landed at Delaware Air National Guard Base, and his 81-year-old father gave him a loving hug before they departed in a motorcade.
The 12-person jury debated for around three hours over two days before reaching a decision.
Hunter Biden did not testify during the one-week trial, which First Lady Jill Biden attended for a few days.
He might face up to 25 years in prison, but as a first-time offender, incarceration seems improbable. The sentencing date has not been established, but it will likely occur within the next few months.
After the verdict, special counsel David Weiss, who launched the case against Hunter Biden, spoke with reporters.
"No one in this country is above the law," Weiss said. "Everyone must be accountable for their actions, even this defendant."
Weiss stated that the case was "not just about addiction."
"This case was about the illegal choices the defendant made while in the throes of addiction, his choice to lie on a government form when he bought a gun, and the choice to then possess that gun," Wess said.
The trial's conclusion came less than two weeks after Donald Trump, Joe Biden's likely Republican opponent in the November presidential election, was convicted on business fraud charges.
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