Hunter Biden Exits Courthouse Holding First Lady's Hand After Guilty Verdict

Kyler Alvord
·3-min read

Hunter left court hand in hand with his stepmom, Jill Biden, and wife, Melissa Cohen Biden on Tuesday, June 11. He was convicted of three felonies following an emotional trial that rehashed his past drug addiction

<p>Anna Moneymaker/Getty</p> First lady Jill Biden, Hunter Biden, and Melissa Cohen Biden hold hands leaving the federal courthouse on June 11, 2024

Anna Moneymaker/Getty

First lady Jill Biden, Hunter Biden, and Melissa Cohen Biden hold hands leaving the federal courthouse on June 11, 2024

Hunter Biden calmly departed a federal courthouse on Tuesday, June 11, flanked with support. He was making his first public appearance since becoming a convicted felon.

The first son was seen exiting the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building in his hometown of Wilmington, Del., shortly after his conviction, smiling slightly as he walked hand-in-hand with his stepmother, first lady Jill Biden, and wife, Melissa Cohen Biden.

The visual summarized the historic nature of Hunter's trial, which saw the first-ever child of a sitting president found guilty of committing crimes.

Related: Hunter Biden’s Guilty Verdict Live: President Biden Schedules Last-Minute Delaware Trip

<p>Anna Moneymaker/Getty</p> First lady Jill Biden, Hunter Biden, and Melissa Cohen Biden hold hands leaving the federal courthouse on June 11, 2024

Anna Moneymaker/Getty

First lady Jill Biden, Hunter Biden, and Melissa Cohen Biden hold hands leaving the federal courthouse on June 11, 2024

Hunter, 54, was convicted of lying about his drug use to illegally obtain a gun in 2018, then possessing that gun for 11 days while addicted to a controlled substance.

The only surviving son of President Joe Biden reportedly spiraled into a crack cocaine addiction after the death of his older brother, Beau, in 2015. Hunter detailed his "tortuous path" to sobriety in his 2021 memoir, Beautiful Things.

Related: Joe Biden Gets Emotional Discussing Son Hunter's Memoir About Substance Abuse: 'It Gave Me Hope'

<p>Anna Moneymaker/Getty</p> Hunter Biden and wife Melissa Cohen Biden arrive to the Wilmington courthouse on June 11, 2024, hours before Hunter's conviction

Anna Moneymaker/Getty

Hunter Biden and wife Melissa Cohen Biden arrive to the Wilmington courthouse on June 11, 2024, hours before Hunter's conviction

The Biden family showed up in force throughout the trial, sitting front row in the courtroom to show support for Hunter.

Spotted at the courthouse since proceedings began on June 3 were Dr. Biden; Melissa; Hunter’s younger half-sister, Ashley Biden; Hunter’s eldest daughter, Naomi Biden; Hunter's son-in-law, Peter Neal; Hunter’s uncle, James Biden; James’ wife, Sara Jones Biden; Hunter’s aunt, Valerie Biden Owens; and the first lady’s sister, Bonny Jacobs.

The first lady, who loyally attended the weeklong trial, missed the verdict reading by a few minutes on Tuesday, but arrived shortly afterward to support her son.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP/Shutterstock Beau, Jill and Hunter Biden attend one of Joe Biden's vice presidential debates
Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP/Shutterstock Beau, Jill and Hunter Biden attend one of Joe Biden's vice presidential debates

Related: Will Hunter Biden Go to Jail? What to Know About a Possible Sentence After His Conviction on Gun Charges

While President Biden did not attend any hearings, he released a statement quickly after the verdict was revealed.

"As I said last week, I am the President, but I am also a Dad," he wrote. "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."

The president 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. Jill and I will always be there for Hunter and the rest of our family with our love and support. Nothing will ever change that.”

Related: Joe Biden Rules Out Pardon for Hunter as He Vows to Respect Any Verdict in Son's Federal Gun Trial

<p>Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty</p> Hunter Biden speaks to reporters in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 13, 2023

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty

Hunter Biden speaks to reporters in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 13, 2023

Hunter's sentencing date has not yet been set, but the hearing is expected to land in mid-October — just before his father's tough reelection battle against presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump. (Trump is also awaiting a sentence after he was convicted in May of concealing a scheme to corrupt the 2016 presidential election.)

The president's son faces up to 25 years in prison and up to $750,000 in fines for the gun charges. He is unlikely to receive the maximum sentence, but the decision rests solely in the hands of Trump-appointed District Judge Maryellen Noreika.

Hunter will stand trial once more this year, in Los Angeles, on nine federal tax charges. If convicted of all charges, he could be imprisoned for up to 17 years.

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