WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Hunter Biden’s daughter Naomi testified as a defense witness on Friday in his federal gun trial, recounting her visit to her father in a rehab facility in 2018 where she expressed her pride in him.
“I hadn’t seen my dad in a long time, and I knew he was in a rehab facility there. He reached out,” she told jurors softly.
Naomi said she and her boyfriend, now husband, met Hunter and his “sober coach” at a coffee shop.
The defense began calling witnesses after federal prosecutors concluded their case against Hunter Biden. The focus of the week’s proceedings has been on highlighting the severity of his drug problem through personal testimonies, all in an effort by prosecutors to demonstrate that the president’s son lied on a mandatory gun-purchase form regarding his drug use.
Defense attorney Abbe Lowell called another gun store clerk who was present when Hunter Biden purchased the gun, raising issues about inconsistencies on the form. Prosecutors only called one of the clerks. The defense also called the shop owner. The president’s brother James was expected to testify later.
In October 2018, the same month Hunter Biden acquired the gun, Naomi traveled in her father’s truck from Washington to New York to move her boyfriend’s belongings. Hunter later drove Joe Biden’s Cadillac to New York to retrieve his truck, leaving the Cadillac with Naomi. She told jurors that she did not observe any drug-related items or signs of drug use.
“He seemed great. He seemed hopeful,” she said.
Jurors heard earlier in the week from Hunter Biden’s ex-wife and a former girlfriend who spoke about his cocaine use and their unsuccessful attempts to help him recover. They were shown images of Hunter, bare-chested and disheveled in a messy room, as well as footage of his crack cocaine being weighed on a scale.
Prosecutors argue that this evidence is crucial in proving that Hunter, 54, was battling addiction when he purchased the gun and therefore committed perjury on the form by denying his drug use.
Lowell has argued that Hunter Biden did not consider himself an “addict” when he acquired the gun and did not intend to deceive anyone.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden stated that he would respect the jury’s decision and ruled out the possibility of pardoning his son. He emphasized his role as both president and father, expressing love and pride for his son.
Biden is currently in France for D-Day anniversary events, while First Lady Jill Biden, who attended court throughout the week, returned from France to be present at the trial on Friday. She will then fly back to France for a state dinner.
Hunter Biden is facing three felony charges related to his gun purchase, all of which he has pleaded not guilty to. He also has a separate tax case trial scheduled for September.
Long reported from Washington.
Follow the AP’s coverage of Hunter Biden at https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden.
