WILMINGTON, Delaware — Members of the Biden family will take the stand in the federal gun crime trial of Hunter Biden, attorneys told the court on Tuesday.
Hallie Biden, the widow of President Biden’s son Beau, will testify on behalf of the government, prosecutor Derek Hines said. He told the court that through text messages and testimony, she will show that Hunter Biden continued his drug use despite efforts to get clean.
She will also testify about her own crack use, Mr. Hines said, acknowledging that the testimony will be “embarrassing.”
Hallie Biden was involved in a romantic relationship with Hunter Biden, the brother of her deceased husband, in 2018. Hunter Biden is accused of lying on a federal gun form to purchase a revolver in October 2018 by saying that he was not addicted to drugs at the time.
She threw the gun away in a local supermarket’s trash can during their tumultuous relationship, fearing that Hunter Biden might harm himself or others.
Hallie Biden will be testifying under an immunity agreement, Mr. Hines said.
Prosecutors will also call Kathleen Buhle, the ex-wife of Hunter Biden, who shares three daughters with him. Ms. Buhle will not be testifying under any immunity agreement.
Defense attorney Abbe Lowell said he planned to call President Biden’s brother, James Biden, as a witness. Mr. Lowell said that Hunter Biden looked at James Biden as more than an uncle, but a “friend.”
James Biden helped his nephew through rehab stints, even paying for a partial stay at a rehab facility, Mr. Lowell said.
House Republicans have accused James Biden of engaging in shady business deals with Hunter Biden. They have also focused on loans that President Biden made to his brother after he had left the vice presidency in 2017, and whether the president was involved in any of James Biden’s business transactions.
James Biden testified before Congress in February, insisting he never used his famous brother’s name to exert influence nor benefit himself in business.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.