What’s Happening:
After years of investigations by a special counsel, Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden has been indicted. Despite many allegations of shocking and wide-ranging crimes, the charges only relate to a few gun crimes. Many Republicans have accused Hunter of doing much worse, but the man has yet to face consequences for them.
Regardless, Hunter will have to endure a trial over these gun charges. His lawyers, however, seem to be trying to protect the president’s son as much as possible. He even requested that he wouldn’t have to appear in court, but just show his face via video conference. The federal judge quickly made his decision.
From Daily Wire:
A federal judge rejected a request from Hunter Biden’s legal team this week to allow the president’s son to make his arraignment on federal gun charges through a video conference instead of having to show up in person…Burke used the words from Hunter Biden’s legal team against him, saying that he agrees that Hunter Biden “should not receive special treatment in this matter-absent some unusual circumstance, he should be treated just as would any other defendant in our Court.”
The federal judge presiding over Hunter’s gun charges rejected a request for Hunter not to appear in court. Joe Biden’s son wanted to appear merely on a video conference, instead of going to the court physically.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher Burke gave several reasons for rejecting this request. First, having a defendant appear in court will maintain the “integrity and solemnity of a federal criminal proceeding.”
The charges against Hunter are new as well, unlike those previously addressed. Because of that, it requires that he appear in person. On top of that, the judge used Biden’s legal team’s own claims, stating that Hunter does not receive “special treatment,” simply because he is the son of Joe Biden.
It is likely that critics would have torn into the court and trial, had Hunter been allowed to avoid going to court. Many would have said he was getting special treatment, much like the plea deal he had previously been offered.
Despite this, many people will still probably claim Hunter will be given preferential treatment. How likely is it for a president’s son to be properly tried and convicted–and sent to jail? No matter what happens as a result of this trial, many will say Hunter will get off easy.
Key Takeaways:
- A federal judge rejected Hunter Biden’s request to attend trial via video conference.
- The judge is requiring Hunter Biden to appear in court, in person.
- Biden’s lawyers previously claimed he should not be given special treatment.
Source: Daily Wire
