Biden modifications plans final minute to hug Hunter after his responsible verdict
President Joe Biden immediately embraced his son Hunter as he stepped off of Marine One late Tuesday afternoon in the hours following his son’s federal gun conviction.
After Hunter was found guilty on all three counts by a Delaware jury, the White House announced that the president’s schedule had changed: He would be traveling to Wilmington.
As Biden touched down at Delaware Air National Guard, waiting for him on the tarmac were Hunter, his wife Melissa Cohen – who was at his side at the trial the whole time – and four-year-old baby Beau.
The president grabbed his son as reporters rushed over to capture the moment, emotionally hugging him and then tugging him back over, his arm hovering over Hunter’s for around five seconds.
Biden embraced Melissa too and then moved on to his young grandson, crouching down to hug him, and then kissing the pre-schooler’s blond head.
President Joe Biden embraces his son Hunter Biden on the tarmac of Delaware Air National Guard as he upended his schedule to fly to Wilmington after Hunter’s guilty verdict
President Joe Biden gives a kiss to his grandson, baby Beau, the son of Hunter Biden (right) and his wife Melissa Cohen (left)
Neither the president nor the first son had anything to say to the press.
Biden jumped in his trademark SUV, while Hunter, Melissa and Beau walked across the tarmac to another vehicle on base.
The president returned to Wilmington on the heels of delivering a speech where he touted his own gun safety record.
Appearing before Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund’s ‘Gun Sense University,’ the president talked about what he was doing to decrease gun violence – but failed to mention son Hunter’s conviction on federal gun charges.
He referenced Hunter’s late sister and brother, and his late first wife Neilia, as he spoke about how he knew what victims’ families were going through because he experienced his own set of losses.
‘I know it’s hard because I’ve gotten those phone calls too saying I’ve lost a son, a daughter, a wife – I know what it’s like,’ the president said.
Biden issued a statement through the White House counsel’s office once the verdict was announced applauding Hunter for surviving drug addiction.
President Joe Biden holds onto his son Hunter Biden who was convicted on federal drug charges in Wilmington, Delaware on Tuesday
President Joe Biden (center) lingered on the tarmac to speak with Melissa Cohen (left), baby Beau (center) and Hunter Biden (right) after Hunter’s conviction
Hunter Biden (center) and Melissa Cohen (right) greet a White House aide as they walked to a separate vehicles with their son Beau (left)
‘As I said last week, I am the President, but I am also a Dad,’ the president reiterated. ‘Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today.’
‘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,’ Biden continued.
‘As I also said last week, I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal,’ the president added.
The president never attended the seven-day trial in person – though first lady Jill Biden did – flying back and forth from France to be in the courtroom.
Other Biden family members on hand included the president’s brother and sister, first daughter Ashley Biden, Naomi Biden – who testified – and her husband Peter Neal.
Biden previously told ABC’s David Muir that he would not pardon Hunter.
Hunter plans to appeal the conviction, though that would occur after sentencing – with a date generally set about 120 days after the trial – meaning the first son would be back in court just weeks before the November election.
The younger Biden has also been indicted on tax evasion charges in California and could face trial again in September.
