The Third Circuit Court of Appeals has denied Hunter Biden’s appeal to dismiss his federal gun charges, setting the stage for his upcoming trial in Delaware. The court’s decision, detailed in documents released on Thursday, underscores that Biden’s appeal of the three pretrial orders issued on April 12, 2024, which denied his motions to dismiss the indictment, does not qualify for consideration before a final judgment in the case.
Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, is charged with purchasing a revolver in 2018 during a time when he admits to struggling with substance abuse, including the use of crack cocaine. Despite his acknowledged drug use, Biden has pleaded not guilty to the three felony charges related to the gun purchase. His legal team had earlier reached a diversion agreement with the Department of Justice, which they argued should still be valid and prevent a trial. However, the agreement fell through in July 2023 when the presiding judge raised questions rather than approving it.
This legal setback for Biden occurs amidst a broader scrutiny of the initial deal by political figures, including former President Donald Trump, who criticized the arrangement as overly lenient. Following the collapse of the plea deal, Biden’s attorneys have contended that the case against him has been unduly influenced by political pressure, maintaining that the immunity provisions stipulated in the initial agreement should still apply.
The upcoming trial, scheduled to start on June 3, promises to be closely watched, with a jury trial expected to last between three to six days under the supervision of Judge Maryellen Noreika. A pre-trial conference has been set for May 24 to further address preliminary matters.
Adding to his legal challenges, Hunter Biden is also set to stand trial on June 20 in Los Angeles for federal tax charges related to the same investigation by Special Counsel David Weiss. These back-to-back trials mark a significant phase in the legal proceedings against the president’s son, who has been under the microscope for various allegations over the past few years.