President Biden arranged an airport photo op in a public show of support for his son Hunter on Tuesday afternoon, hours after the 54-year-old’s conviction on three federal gun charges.
The 81-year-old president made a midweek, mid-workday trip to Wilmington, Del., and was greeted by Hunter Biden, his wife Melissa Cohen and their 4-year-old son Beau on the tarmac of the airport of the Delaware Air National Guard.
The president hugged and spoke to Hunter for several minutes in full view of the traveling press pool, including photographers, videographers and reporters for major print, radio and TV outlets.
The made-for-viewing interaction around 4:40 p.m. was followed by a motorcade to the president’s nearby home in Wilmington — as Republicans like House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) urged prosecutors to focus on the president’s role in his son and first brother James Biden’s lucrative foreign dealings.
President Biden hugged his son Hunter Biden after he became the first child of a sitting president to be convicted of a crime. AFP via Getty Images
Hunter, 54, is photographed pointing before he and his father motorcade to the president’s nearby home in Wilmington, Del. APIt is possible for Hunter Biden to go entirely unnoticed traveling to and from the air base — as happened on May 30 ahead of the first son’s trial, when the entire family loaded into the president’s Marine One helicopter and departed before members of the press were in place to observe the lift off for Joe Biden’s Rehoboth Beach, Del., vacation home.
The scandal-plagued son was convicted Tuesday morning of illegally buying and possessing a .38 caliber Colt Cobra revolver in 2018.
Follow the latest on Hunter Biden’s federal gun trial:
- Hunter Biden guilty of felony gun charges, faces 25 years in prison
- Joe Biden reveals whether he will pardon Hunter after first son convicted on felony gun charges in first comments since verdict
- Hunter Biden breaks silence after felony gun conviction, says he’s ‘disappointed’ by outcome
- Hunter Biden juror reveals the damning evidence that lead to conviction at gun trial
- Here’s what’s next for Hunter Biden following his conviction on gun charges
He faces up to 25 years in prison, but could receive a sentence of probation.
Hunter walked away from a probation-only plea deal for gun and tax crimes last July over demands for even broader immunity for past conduct, including alleged violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which could implicate his father.
Hunter Biden, his wife Melissa Cohen and their 4-year-old son Beau greeted President Biden at the airport of the Delaware Air National Guard. AP
Hunter Biden, trailed by first lady Jill Biden’s “work husband” Anthony Bernal, participated in the staged photo op hours after become a convicted felon. REUTERS
President Biden returned to Delaware in the middle of the work week after his son was convicted in his first of at least two federal criminal trials. AFP via Getty Images
President Biden kissed his 4-year-old grandson Beau before the family traveled to his nearby home. APEvidence including photos, emails and witness statements indicates that Joe Biden interacted with his family’s associates from two Chinese government-linked business ventures and others from Kazakhstan, Mexico, Russia and Ukraine, including while he was sitting vice president and controlling foreign policy toward those countries.
No sentencing date has been set in Hunter’s gun case, but it’s likely to come in or around September — at roughly the same time he goes on trial for allegedly bilking Uncle Sam of $1.4 million in taxes on foreign income from ventures in which he often involved his dad.
President Biden made no public remarks on his son’s conviction Tuesday, issuing only a written statement that said: “I am the President, but I am also a Dad … I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal.”

It’s unclear what Hunter was pointing at when he greeted his dad. AFP via Getty Images
President Biden’s relatives are able to easily avoid the press if they so choose at the airport — and did so just last month. AFP via Getty Images
The first family chose to publicly greet one another after President Biden chose not to publicly speak on the conviction. AFP via Getty Images
Hunter Biden’s wife Melissa Cohen also greeted the president. AFP via Getty Images
Hunter Biden walked away from a probation-only plea deal last July over demands for even broader immunity for past conduct. REUTERSWhite House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s regular briefing was abruptly canceled Tuesday afternoon following the guilty verdict.
Biden’s only public event of the day was an awkwardly timed pro-gun control speech near the White House, where he called for tougher penalties for infractions, including for families who leave guns unlocked.






