Jill Biden spent her 73rd birthday in a courtroom in a show of support for stepson Hunter as the jury that will decide his fate was seated.
Three times during breaks in jury selection the First Lady hugged Hunter and kissed him on the cheek as she spent hours sitting directly behind him in court. at one point Hunter joked to her: ‘Happy Birthday. I got you to a special event.’
She sat on the public benches with Hunter’s half-sister Ashley and his wife Melissa Cohen, who also put their arms around him during breaks in proceedings.
As those closest to him were in a criminal court Joe Biden issued a statement calling his son ‘inspiring’ and expressing ‘boundless love’ for him.
First lady Jill Biden departs from federal court, Monday, June 3, 2024, in Wilmington, Delaware
unter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, joined by his his wife Melissa Cohen Biden, departs the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building on June 03, 2024 in Wilmington, Delaware
A Biden family friend, Ricky Smith, who was in court, said: ‘It ain’t right for him (Hunter) to be sitting there because he was a drug addict.’
Hunter, the only surviving son of the president, has pleaded not guilty to three charges relating to buying a .38-caliber Colt Cobra revolver at a time when, according to his own memoir, he was in the midst of crack addiction.
The charges are lying to a federally licensed gun dealer, making a false claim on an application by saying he was not a drug user, and illegally having the gun for 11 days.
If found guilty he could face up to 25 years in prison, although as a first-time offender he could also escape any jail time.
After going through security at the six-story J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building in downtown Wilmington, Delaware, Hunter passed a large photograph of his smiling father on the lobby.
The building itself is named after the Republican politician – Boggs – who Joe Biden beat to become a U.S. senator in 1972.
Ashley Biden, the daughter of U.S. President Joe Biden, hugs a police officer as she leaves the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building during her brother Hunter Biden’s trial
Ashley Biden outside court as Hunter Biden’s stands trial on gun and drugs charges
In a cavernous wood-paneled courtroom on the fourth floor over 60 prospective jurors were gathered by Judge Maryellen Noreika.
They were given a lengthy set of questions to answer which included they knowledge of the case, their opinions on gun ownership, and any family experience of drug addiciton.
Potential jurors dismissed included several who knew the Biden’s personally.
One of them had played squash with Beau Biden, Hunter’s late brother, and was a member of the same country club as the Bidens.
Another had been a work colleague of Jill Biden’s at a school where she taught, and said he had met ‘Jill’s husband numerous times.
Judge Maryellen Noreika who is trying the case of Hunter Biden
Hunter Biden arrives at the federal court with his wife Melissa Cohen Biden,
Several also said they knew Hallie Biden, Beau’s widow, who had a relationship with Hunter and is set to be a key witness in the trial.
Other jurors said they were at least familiar with this case and the Bidens because Wilmington was a ‘small place’.
One said: ‘I live in Delaware. You can’t swing a cat with out hearing something.’
Among the jurors sent home was a woman who said she had formed an opinion about Hunter Biden based on media reports.
She said: ‘It’s not a good one.’
U.S. first lady Jill Biden leaves the federal court on the opening day of trial of Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, on criminal gun charges in Wilmington, Delaware
President Joe Biden waves as he arrives on Air Force One at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, N.Y. Monday, June 3,
The jurors ultimately chosen included one who had a lengthy career with the Secret Service.
Another told the court her sister was convicted about 10 years ago of credit card fraud and drug charges in Delaware.
One young woman on the jury said she gets all her news from YouTube.
A man on the jury said he had a concealed carry gun permit and has owned six guns.
The jury chosen consisted of six men and six women, with four alternates.
During the selection process almost all of the potential jurors said they know someone who has been addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Almost every potential juror also said they had heard something about the case in the news, although few knew any details.
Police secure the exterior of the US Federal District Court before the start of the first day of Hunter Biden’s federal gun tria
First lady Jill Biden outside Hunter Biden’s trial at federal court
Judge Noreika told them not to talk or read about the case on the internet.
Opening statements begin on Tuesday and the case is expected to last two weeks.
Hunter Biden also faces a separate trial in California in September on charges of failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes.
In a statement Joe Biden said: ‘I am the President, but I am also a Dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today.”
The president spent the day at his home in Wilmington home and left shortly after court adjourned for a campaign reception in Connecticut.