Hunter Biden's Defense Rests as Trial Nears Jury Deliberation in Federal Firearms Case

After weeks of testimony, Hunter Biden's federal firearms trial in Delaware reached a crucial point as his defense team rested on Monday, marking a turning point in the proceedings. The decision sets the stage for the jury to begin deliberating by the end of the day, pending any unforeseen developments.

On Monday morning, both the defense and prosecution finalized jury instructions with the judge before engaging in private discussions on additional matters related to the trial. Notably, it became evident that Mr. Biden would not take the stand in his defense despite previous considerations.

Emotional Response to Cross-Examination

Angered by the rigorous cross-examination of his daughter, Naomi Biden Neal, on Friday, Mr. Biden had contemplated testifying in response. However, after extensive consultations over the weekend with his lead lawyer, Abbe Lowell, the defense made the strategic choice to rest without pursuing this course of action.

The government's efforts to demonstrate Mr. Biden's drug use in 2018 and 2019, coupled with alleged false claims on a federal firearms form, have been met with a vigorous defense. Central to the defense's strategy has been the scrutiny of whether Mr. Biden was consuming crack cocaine at the time of the gun purchase in October 2018, while also challenging the reliability of the prosecution's witnesses.