Sun. Nov 24th, 2024
alert-–-hunter-biden-trial-live:-defense-rests-in-president’s-son’s-gun-trialAlert – Hunter Biden trial live: Defense rests in president’s son’s gun trial

Welcome to DailyMail.com’s daily U.S. politics blog, with live coverage of the biggest stories from the corridors of power.

Hunter Biden returns to court for the final stretch of his federal gun trial, and could take the stand in his own defense.

His legal team is poised to announce if he will testify after his daughter Naomi offered deeply personal testimony after his crack cocaine addiction.

In other legal news, Donald Trump is set to virtually meet with a probation officer ahead of his July 11 sentencing in the hush money case after he was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records. 

Follow live updates from our reporters in Wilmington and Washington D.C. 

14:39

Breaking: The defense rests without calling Hunter to the stand

Hunter’s attorneys rested their case following a long sidebar with the judge.

They decided not to call the president’s son to the stand to testify as a witness in his own case.

The prosecution is bringing FBI agent Erika Jensen back on the stand as their rebuttal witness.

14:05

Hunter Biden leaves courtroom during short break

After attorneys finished discussing the final jury instructions in Hunter Biden’s gun trial, defense attorney Abbe Lowell told the judge: ‘We do have another issue.’

The judge then huddled with lawyers in a private conversation.

After that conversation ended, Hunter Biden left the courtroom and the judge ordered a short break.

Hunter later returned to the courtroom as the lawyers continued talking with the judge.

It came after attorneys had finished discussing the final jury instructions.

13:57

Jim Biden arrives in green blazer and monogrammed cuffs

Jim Biden, the President”s brother, arrived at court in a green blazer.

His shirt cuffs were embossed with monogrammed letters that appeared to be his initials ‘JBB’.

Hunter hugged his uncle before going into court.

epa11402099 US President Joe Biden's siblings Valerie Biden (L) and James Biden (R) arrive for the second week of Hunter Biden's gun trial at the US Federal District Court in Wilmington, Delaware, USA, 10 June 2024. Hunter Biden is the first child of a sitting president to appear in court facing criminal charges.  EPA/JIM LO SCALZO

Hunter Biden hugs James Biden after arriving to federal court, Monday, June 10, 2024, in Wilmington, Del. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

13:50

Biden says he will NOT pardon son Hunter if he is found guilty

President Joe Biden said in a new interview Thursday that he would not pardon his son Hunter Biden, who’s on federal trial this week on gun charges.

Biden sat down with ABC News' David Muir and answered ‘yes’ when the journalist asked if he would accept the outcome of Hunter’s trial, which has seen a parade of the first son’s ex-lovers as witnesses.

The president also answered ‘yes’ when Muir asked Biden if he would rule out pardoning his son.

13:43

Jury instruction discussion includes definition of reasonable doubt and immunity

Among the issues discussed regarding jury instructions in Hunter Biden’s gun trial were the definitions of reasonable doubt and firearms dealer.

They also discussed the immunity granted by prosecutors to Hunter’s sister-in-law and former lover, Hallie Biden, and former girlfriend Zoe Kestan, in exchange for their testimony.

The judge and attorneys also talked about how jurors can request to see certain physical exhibits, including the gun, in the jury room.

Defense attorneys argued in their proposed jury instructions that the ‘the overly expansive and amorphous’ definitions of what it means to be a drug ‘user’ and to ‘possess’ a firearm will deny Hunter Biden a fair trial.

They also contend that any conviction obtained using those instructions cannot be sustained on appeal.

13:00

Hunter Biden could face up to 25 years in prison – and his father has ruled out a pardon

Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to three federal gun charges against him.

If he is found guilty of lying about his drug use on a federal form when he purchased a Colt Cobra revolver, he could face up to 25 years in prison.

Two of the counts carry a maximum of 10 years in prison while the remaining has a maximum of five.

Each also has a maximum fine of $250,000.

As it would be his first offense, it is unclear whether he would serve any jail time.

In an interview last week, his father Joe also confirmed he wouldn't pardon his son if he is convicted.

12:55

Hunter Biden's defense attorney indicates president's son won't take the stand

Hunter Biden’s attorney Abbe Lowell has suggested his client will not take the stand in his own defense at the federal gun trial.

Lowell allowed the judge to include in jury instructions that the panel should not hold it against him that he ‘did not testify’ when they deliberate the verdict.

This is not definitive, but a clear indication that the president’s son has decided against testifying.

12:33

Jill and Ashley Biden arrive at court

First Lady Jill Biden and her daughter Ashley arrived at court on Monday morning to support Hunter in the closing stages of the trial.

Jill flew to Delaware from France for 24 hours last week to be in court when Naomi testified.

She has been a frequent fixture in the courtroom and has embraced other family members during the deeply emotional testimony about Hunter’s crack cocaine addicition

U.S. first lady Jill Biden arrives at the federal court for Hunter Biden's trial on criminal gun charges, in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S., June 10, 2024. REUTERS/Hannah Beier

Ashley Biden arrives to federal court, Monday, June 10, 2024, in Wilmington, Del. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

epa11402106 US First Lady Jill Biden arrives for the second week of Hunter Biden's gun trial at the US Federal District Court in Wilmington, Delaware, USA, 10 June 2024. Hunter Biden is the first child of a sitting president to appear in court facing criminal charges.  EPA/JIM LO SCALZO

U.S. first lady Jill Biden arrives at the federal court for Hunter Biden's trial on criminal gun charges, in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S., June 10, 2024. REUTERS/Hannah Beier

12:19

Hunter Biden arrives at court with wife Melissa Cohen and uncle Jim Biden

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE - JUNE 10: Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, joined by his wife Melissa Cohen Biden, arrive to the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building on June 10, 2024 in Wilmington, Delaware. The trial for Hunter Biden's felony gun charges resumes today with the defense's team. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE - JUNE 10: Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, embraces his uncle James Biden as they arrive to the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building on June 10, 2024 in Wilmington, Delaware. The trial for Hunter Biden's felony gun charges resumes today with the defense's team. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE - JUNE 10: Valerie Biden Owens, the sister of U.S. President Joe Biden, and James Biden, the brother of President Joe Biden, arrive to the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building on June 10, 2024 in Wilmington, Delaware. The trial for Hunter Biden's felony gun charges resumes today with the defense's team. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

12:06

What to expect this morning in Hunter Biden's gun trial

The court will first meet to discuss jury instructions and then the defense will likely either call Hunter Biden or rest its case.

Then closing arguments will begin, and the jury could be sent out to deliberate as soon as today.

President Joe Biden’s brother Jim was expected to testify, but the defense appears to have changed its mind after Naomi’s testimony on Friday.

FILE - James Biden, President Joe Biden's brother and uncle to Hunter Biden, left, and Sara Biden arrive at federal court, June 7, 2024, in Wilmington, Del. The Biden family has gone to great lengths to support Hunter Biden as he stands trial for lying on a federal gun-purchase form when he said he didn't have a drug problem. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

11:29

Peter Neal's sweet message to wife Naomi Biden after she was ambushed on witness stand in Hunter's gun trial and amid pregnancy speculation

Peter Neal posted a touching message to wife Naomi Biden after she was ambushed on the witness stand in her father Hunter’s federal gun trial and amid speculation she is pregnant.

‘I love you,’ Neal wrote on his Instagram stories. The text was posted over a picture of Naomi smiling, her back to camera but her head turned to face its lens. Her stomach is not visible.

The duo appear to be on a weekend getaway. Naomi is standing at door with a number on it, appearing to be some kind of hotel room. The next photo in his story is of a peacock standing in front of a hotel room.

The two married in November 2022 in a White House wedding. Peter was in the courtroom this past week to support his wife as Naomi was ambushed with devastating text messages that blew a hole in the her father’s defense in the federal gun trial.

11:28

Recap: Jill Biden watches as granddaughter Naomi Biden is ambushed on witness stand with her own text message to Hunter saying

Hunter Biden’s daughter Naomi was ambushed with devastating text messages on Friday that blew a hole in her father’s defense in the federal gun trial.

First Lady Jill Biden watched from the gallery as her granddaughter testified about interactions with her father at rehab and when he was in the depths of a crack cocaine addiction.

It came on another dramatic day in the trial, where the prosecution wrapped its case after less than a week and Naomi was questioned about life with her father.

At first, questioned by Hunter’s lawyer Abbe Lowell, she painted a rosy picture of Hunter’s sobriety in the lead-up to his October 2018 gun purchase over which he is charged.

Naomi said she visited Hunter with her then-boyfriend Peter in Los Angeles in August 2018, where Hunter had been having a short rehab stint.

‘He seemed like the clearest I’d seen him since my uncle died,’ she said, referring to Beau Biden who died from brain cancer on May 30, 2015.

‘He seemed really great,’ Naomi added. ‘I told him that I was so proud of him and so proud to be able to introduce Peter to him.’

Read more below

11:26

Trump set for probation hearing ahead of sentencing in hush money case

Former President Donald Trump is scheduled for a virtual probation interview on Monday after a New York jury found him guilty of all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in his ‘hush money’ trial.

The former president will participate in the hearing from his home at Mar-a-Lago, according to multiple reports. The probation interview is a normal process for Trump’s pre-sentencing report.

The interview is the next step in the sentencing process as Judge Juan Merchan is scheduled to sentence the former president on July 11, just days before the Republican National convention begins in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The interview will be conducted by a probation officer with Trump’s lawyer Todd Blanche present and will be followed by report delivered to the judge.

11:23

Welcome to DailyMail.com's US politics blog, with live coverage of Hunter Biden's gun trial as it enters its final stages

Welcome to DailyMail.com’s daily U.S. politics blog, with live coverage of the biggest stories from the corridors of power.

Hunter Biden returns to court for the final stretch of his federal gun trial, and could take the stand in his own defense.

His legal team is poised to announce if he will testify after his daughter Naomi offered deeply personal testimony after his crack cocaine addiction.

In other legal news, Donald Trump is set to virtually meet with a probation officer ahead of his July 11 sentencing in the hush money case after he was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records.

FILE PHOTO: Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, and his wife Melissa Cohen Biden, depart the federal court during his trial on criminal gun charges in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S., June 7, 2024. REUTERS/Hannah Beier/File Photo

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