In a closely watched trial, Hunter Biden, the eldest living son of President Joe Biden, has been convicted on all three felony counts he faced related to purchasing a handgun while using crack cocaine. The verdict was reached by the jury after approximately three hours of deliberation over two days.

Special counsel David Weiss, speaking at a news conference following the verdict, emphasized that Hunter Biden's conviction serves as a reminder that nobody is above the law. Weiss stated, "Everyone must be accountable for their actions, even this defendant." He further emphasized that Hunter Biden should be held accountable just like any other citizen convicted of similar conduct.

Weiss expressed sympathy for individuals grappling with addiction but clarified that the case centered on the "illegal choices" made by Hunter Biden, specifically his decision to lie on a government form when acquiring the firearm and his subsequent possession of that weapon. The combination of drugs and guns, according to Weiss, made his conduct particularly dangerous.

Although addiction is a pervasive issue affecting families across the United States, including the Biden family, Weiss underscored that this case primarily focused on the illegal choices made by the defendant while in the midst of his addiction struggles.

During the trial, the prosecution presented compelling testimony from some of Hunter Biden's close relatives about his battle with addiction. However, Hunter Biden chose not to testify in his own defense, and the jury rendered the guilty verdict after hearing the evidence presented.

Following the conviction, Republicans responded by doubling down on conspiracy theories aimed at undermining Hunter Biden's father, President Joe Biden. These efforts by senior figures within the Republican Party have been ongoing in an attempt to discredit the current President.

President Joe Biden, who did not address his son's trial during his first public remarks after the verdict, focused instead on his administration's efforts to combat gun violence at an Everytown for Gun Safety event in Washington DC.

In a separate development, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who spearheaded the hush-money case against former President Donald Trump, has agreed to testify before Congress on July 12th, the day after Trump's sentencing in New York. Bragg, joined by prosecutor Matthew Colangelo, will appear before the GOP-led House select subcommittee on the weaponization of the federal government. The hearing is seen as another attempt by Trump's allies to challenge Bragg's prosecution as a political maneuver.

The hearing comes amid a broader effort by Trump's closest congressional supporters to undermine the justice system following his conviction on 34 counts. House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan has accused both Bragg and Colangelo of pursuing a political prosecution against the former president.

Meanwhile, Rudy Giuliani, former attorney to Donald Trump and ex-mayor of New York City, remains defiant after being indicted by an Arizona grand jury in connection with attempting to alter the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. Giuliani, who had his mug shot taken in Arizona, expressed no regrets regarding his actions to overturn Trump's defeat to President Joe Biden.

As Joe Biden plans to depart for Wilmington, Delaware, where his son and family are, the White House has canceled an afternoon press briefing. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson called Hunter Biden's federal conviction on gun charges "appropriate," highlighting a contrast with his skepticism towards Trump's hush-money trial conviction, which he deemed a "sham."

The verdict in Hunter Biden's case marks a significant legal outcome for the president's son, ensuring that even those with prominent family connections are held accountable for their actions in accordance with the law.