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By Dan Gooding and Erin Keller
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Hunter Biden's uncle and daughter could possibly take the stand at his gun purchase trial in Delaware Friday, as his defense attorneys get their chance to call witnesses after days of testimony centered around his drug use.
With the prosecution resting its case Friday morning, Biden's lawyer Abbe Lowell is set to call two or three witnesses, who he hinted at in his opening statement.
"Jimmy Biden will explain why he is so close to Hunter," Lowell said in court in Wilmington earlier in the week, as the federal trial over whether Biden, 54, lied on gun ownership documents about his drug use.
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James Biden – President Joe Biden's brother – is expected to give testimony, while it is unclear if Naomi Biden, 31, whom Hunter had with his ex-wife Kathleen Buhle, will also be questioned. It also remains unclear if Hunter Biden will take the stand.
The 54-year-old son of President Joe Biden appeared for the fifth day of his trial in Delaware for felony charges related to a 2018 gun purchase. Prosecutors argue that he lied on federal documents about his drug use, which would have barred him from legally obtaining a firearm. If convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison. The trial, expected to last one to two weeks, delves deeply into whether Biden's drug use influenced his ability to lawfully purchase the firearm.
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James Biden says he supports his family
The President's brother has worked as a consultant, as well as a fundraiser for his brother over his long political career.
James Biden also has a close relationship with the president's son, having helped him with rehab and the struggles he faced in the years following his brother Beau's death in 2015.
"Hunter, we are cut from the same cloth," James Biden wrote in an email to Hunter in 2017, reported by The Washington Post. "... You are a fine and yes, a gentle person.
"Believe it or not, I know you. Sounds corny, but we both deserve to enjoy the moment. Concentrate on the good in our lives and try to step out of all the bullshit you deal with on a minute to minute basis."
As well as helping his nephew with his personal struggles, James Biden has also included Hunter in a number of business dealings over the years, which have now come under scrutiny from Republicans in Congress, who allege these have benefited the president.
James Biden has already come to his nephew and his brother's defense in recent months, with the House Oversight and Judiciary Committees grilling him as part of their attempt to impeach his older brother.
Earlier this week, Republicans in the House asked the Department of Justice to charge the pair with lying to congress, over their testimony.
In an interview with the Washington Post in 2022, James Biden was asked about a comment his older brother had made, referring to him as the "fixer" of the family.
"I'm the guy who assists in everything. When it comes to my family I try to be as supportive as I can," he said. "But this notion of 'the fixer,' or any reference that has a negative connotation, is offensive."
"The notion I am some underworld figure and I am a fixer or the cleaner or I'm this or that — I'm a very concerned family member who tries to protect my family in every way I can, in what is a very ethical way."
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Bidens out in force in Wilmington
Part of protecting his family could come in the form of his witness testimony for the defense, as other members of the Biden family sit in the courtroom, including First Lady Jill Biden.
While the president himself is in France, his sister Valerie Biden Owens was also in the courtroom, alongside the First Lady.
Hunter's wife Melissa Cohen-Biden has also been present for every day of the trial, while other friends and family members also showed their support Friday, including the defendant's long-time friend and funder, lawyer Kevin Morris.
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As defense attorney Abbe Lowell entered the court, he told the president's sister that she had "an amazing family".
Hunter Biden denies the three federal charges against him, with his father saying that he would not pardon him if he is found guilty.
Prosecution rests after morning testimony
Dr. Jason Brewer, a chemist and forensic examiner with the FBI, testified. He analyzed one of Hunter's brown leather pouches that was found with cocaine residue on it. Brewer received the pouch in October 2013. The defense argued that Brewer received the pouch five years after it was found, making it impossible to determine who put the cocaine in the pouch or how long it had been there.
DEA agent Joshua Romig also testified. He explained how cocaine gets into the United States, primarily through Mexico across the southern border. Romig described the difference between cocaine and crack cocaine, noting that crack cocaine is more easily smokable and is mixed with a liquid.
The jurors looked tired. More than half of them were taking notes, but many had their heads resting in their hands and were slumped in their seats. One man almost appeared to be sleeping; he was just slumped over, resting his head against the wall behind him as Romig testified.
Based on his expertise and the evidence, including previous testimonies and bank records shown in court, Romig said he could connect some of Hunter's larger cash withdrawals to drug purchases.
Jurors were shown videos from Hunter's text messages of crack being weighed on a scale, as well as stills of what appeared to be crack pipes.
Two witnesses for the defense, Jason Turner and Ron Paulamere, will testify after lunch.
There was no mention of Naomi or James Biden testifying today.
The prosecution rested on Friday at around 10:50 AM.
The defense will issue a motion for acquittal.
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