Hunter Biden’s Conviction and Trump’s Risk to the Justice Department in 2024
Digest
This episode of the New Yorker Radio Hour delves into the recent conviction of Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden's son, on three felony gun charges. The discussion explores the context of the case, highlighting Hunter Biden's struggles with addiction and the family's crisis following the death of his brother, Beau. The panelists, Jane Mayer, Susan Glasser, and Evan Osnos, analyze the trial's impact on the Biden family and the upcoming presidential election. They discuss the politicization of the Justice Department, particularly in the context of the Trump administration's efforts to weaponize the department for political gain. The episode also examines the potential consequences of Trump's proposed changes to the Justice Department, which aim to remove its independence and neutrality. The panelists conclude by emphasizing the importance of understanding the broader implications of the Hunter Biden case, which goes beyond the personal drama and reveals the starkly different paths for the United States presented by the two presidential candidates.
Outlines
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Introduction
This Chapter introduces the podcast, Marketplace, and its mission to provide listeners with a daily download on the economy. It emphasizes the importance of understanding how the economy works and how Marketplace can help listeners navigate its complexities.
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Hunter Biden's Conviction
This Chapter focuses on the recent conviction of Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden's son, on three felony gun charges. The panelists discuss the significance of this event, particularly as the first time the child of a sitting US president has been convicted of a crime. They explore the potential motivations behind the Republican Party's eagerness to press charges against Hunter Biden and the broader context of the case, including Hunter Biden's struggles with addiction and the family's crisis following the death of his brother, Beau.
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Trump and the Justice Department
This Chapter examines the reactions of Donald Trump and his allies to Hunter Biden's conviction. The panelists discuss the emergence of a new conspiracy theory surrounding the case, which claims that the charges are a distraction from the Justice Department's alleged efforts to protect Joe Biden. They analyze the broader implications of Trump's attacks on the Justice Department, highlighting his desire to weaponize the department for political gain and his plans to dismantle its independence and neutrality. The episode concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding the broader implications of the Hunter Biden case, which goes beyond the personal drama and reveals the starkly different paths for the United States presented by the two presidential candidates.
Keywords
Hunter Biden
Hunter Biden is the youngest and only living son of President Joe Biden. He has been the subject of intense scrutiny and political attacks, particularly from the Republican Party, due to his business dealings and struggles with addiction. His recent conviction on three felony gun charges has further fueled political tensions and raised questions about the politicization of the Justice Department.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the 45th president of the United States. He has been a controversial figure throughout his presidency and beyond, known for his divisive rhetoric, attacks on democratic institutions, and promotion of conspiracy theories. His recent conviction on felony charges in New York has further intensified political polarization and raised concerns about the future of American democracy.
Justice Department
The United States Department of Justice is the federal executive department responsible for enforcing the law and administering justice. It is headed by the Attorney General, who is appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. The Justice Department has been the subject of intense scrutiny and political attacks in recent years, particularly from the Trump administration, which sought to weaponize the department for political gain. The Hunter Biden case has further highlighted the politicization of the Justice Department and the potential risks posed to its independence and neutrality.
Presidential Election
The 2024 United States presidential election is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The election is expected to be highly contested, with the two main candidates being incumbent President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. The Hunter Biden case has added another layer of complexity to the election, raising questions about the potential impact of the case on the race and the broader implications for American democracy.
Project 2025
Project 2025 is a blueprint for a second Trump term, being drawn up by the Heritage Foundation and a bunch of Trump allies. It outlines plans for a completely different kind of Justice Department, one that is not independent and neutral but instead an instrument of the president to go after his enemies. This project represents a significant threat to the rule of law and the integrity of American democracy.
Special Counsel
A special counsel is an independent prosecutor appointed to investigate a specific matter, typically involving high-level government officials. Special counsels are typically appointed when there is a conflict of interest or a perceived need for an independent investigation. The Hunter Biden case involved a special counsel, Robert Herr, who declined to press charges against Biden but issued a scathing report. The appointment of special counsels has been a source of controversy in recent years, with some arguing that they are too easily politicized and others arguing that they are necessary to ensure accountability.
Executive Privilege
Executive privilege is a legal doctrine that allows the president to withhold information from Congress or the courts in certain circumstances. The doctrine is based on the principle of separation of powers and the need for the president to be able to receive confidential advice from his advisors. The Hunter Biden case involved the invocation of executive privilege by President Biden, who refused to release audio recordings of his interview with the special counsel. The use of executive privilege has been a source of controversy in recent years, with some arguing that it is too easily abused and others arguing that it is essential to protect the president's ability to govern effectively.
Q&A
What was the case against Hunter Biden about, and what struck you about it?
The case centered on a period in 2018 when Hunter Biden, struggling with addiction, bought a gun and filled out a federal form that asked about his addiction status. The defense argued that the question was odd because it didn't specify whether someone was currently an addict or had been in the past. However, evidence presented during the trial indicated that Hunter Biden was still grappling with addiction at the time. The jury returned three guilty verdicts, and the panelists found it unusual that these charges were brought in the absence of a larger case involving violent crime or other offenses.
How did the Biden family react to Hunter Biden's conviction, and what does it reveal about their dynamics?
The Biden family rallied around Hunter Biden, with Jill Biden traveling back and forth between Europe and the US to support both her husband and her son. The trial also revealed the family's history of trauma and dysfunction, particularly following the death of Beau Biden. The panelists noted the awkwardness of the situation, including Hunter Biden's relationship with Beau's widow and the family members testifying for both the prosecution and the defense. They also discussed the political vulnerability of Joe Biden, who has been targeted by Republicans through his family, particularly Hunter Biden.
How might Hunter Biden's conviction impact the upcoming presidential election?
The panelists discussed the potential impact of the conviction on Joe Biden's campaign, particularly in light of the ongoing attacks on the Justice Department by Trump and his allies. They argued that the conviction could be used to highlight the contrast between Biden's commitment to the rule of law and Trump's efforts to weaponize the Justice Department for political gain. However, they also acknowledged that the case might not be the most effective tool for Biden's campaign, as it is too sad and personal to be easily exploited for political purposes.
What are the implications of Trump's attacks on the Justice Department?
The panelists expressed concern about Trump's attacks on the Justice Department, arguing that they represent a significant threat to the rule of law and the integrity of American democracy. They pointed to Trump's history of demanding that the Justice Department investigate his political opponents and his plans to dismantle the department's independence and neutrality. They also highlighted the potential consequences of Trump's proposed changes to the Justice Department, which could lead to a system where the president can use the department to go after his enemies.
What is the significance of the Hunter Biden case beyond the personal drama?
The panelists emphasized that the Hunter Biden case is not just about personal drama but also about the broader implications for American democracy. They argued that the case reveals the starkly different paths for the United States presented by the two presidential candidates, one based on the rule of law and the other on the weaponization of the Justice Department for political gain. They concluded that the case highlights the importance of understanding the risks posed to the Justice Department by the choice that voters will make in the upcoming election.
Show Notes
The Washington Roundtable: Susan B. Glasser, Jane Mayer, and Evan Osnos analyze the impact of Hunter Biden’s criminal conviction and how the trial turned the spotlight on the Biden family’s private struggles through grief and addiction. Plus, how Trump supporters are waging an attack on the justice system and making its integrity one of the core issues of the 2024 Presidential election.
This week’s reading:
- “Happy Seventy-eighth Birthday, Mr. Ex-President,” by Susan B. Glasser
- “Is Hunter Biden a Scapegoat or a Favored Son?” by Katy Waldman
- “Hunter Biden and the Mechanics of the ‘Scandal Industrial Complex,’ ” with Susan B. Glasser, Jane Mayer, and Evan Osnos
To discover more podcasts from The New Yorker, visit newyorker.com/podcasts. To send in feedback on this episode, write to themail@newyorker.com with “The Political Scene” in the subject line.