An unprecedented fortnight of legal drama, culminating in the historic convictions of both a former president and a sitting president’s son, has underscored a critical political takeaway: the survival of the rule of law in America may hinge on the choice voters make in November.
The contrasting responses from President Joe Biden and presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump to these twin trials and verdicts highlight the divergent paths the country could take under each leader.
President Biden refrained from using his executive authority or the media to influence the prosecution of his son, Hunter. He allowed his Justice Department to secure a guilty verdict, potentially resulting in jail time for Hunter and jeopardizing his own 2024 campaign. “I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal,” President Biden said after the jury found his son guilty of lying on a federal background check form and possessing a gun while using illegal drugs. He has also stated he will not pardon his son. Hunter Biden, in his initial reaction to the verdict, expressed gratitude for his family’s support and his relief at being clean again, without attacking the judge or prosecutors.
In stark contrast, Trump responded to his own trial and conviction in his hush money case with hostility, attacking witnesses, prosecutors, jurors, and the judge. He claimed, without evidence, that the Biden administration orchestrated the trial to harm a political opponent, despite the Justice Department not being involved in the Manhattan district attorney’s case. Trump has since vowed to use presidential powers to punish his political adversaries and manipulate the legal system for personal revenge.
“Sometimes revenge can be justified,” Trump told TV psychologist Phil McGraw last week. “I have to be honest. You know, sometimes it can.” He also told Fox News, “I would have every right to go after them,” referring to the Bidens.
Discrediting Trump’s Claims
Throughout his Manhattan trial, Trump maintained he couldn’t receive a fair verdict in a predominantly Democratic city. However, Delaware, also a blue state, convicted President Biden’s son. One juror told CNN that politics never influenced their deliberations. Jurors in Trump’s trial have yet to speak, potentially due to fears of identification and intimidation tactics.
Had Hunter Biden been acquitted, Republicans would likely argue that a biased jury in Delaware, where many know the first family, proved their point. However, the guilty verdict undermines another of their political arguments.
Joe Biden promised to restore the Justice Department’s independence following Trump’s attempts to use it for personal legal battles. Conversely, Trump has made it clear he would do the same and more if re-elected, vowing to prosecute Biden and his family and to “obliterate” the so-called “Deep State.” Various external groups have already devised plans to support him.
The Hunter Biden conviction also undermines Trump’s central defense in his multiple legal cases and his presidential campaign narrative that he is a victim of a weaponized legal system targeting Republicans exclusively.
The notion of Justice Department neutrality was reinforced by post-trial comments from David Weiss, the Trump-appointed U.S. attorney in Delaware. Attorney General Merrick Garland elevated Weiss to special counsel to avoid perceptions of political bias. Weiss thanked Garland for allowing him to act independently and emphasized that “no one in this country is above the law. Everyone must be accountable for their actions, even this defendant.” However, Weiss added that “Hunter Biden should be no more accountable than any other citizen convicted of this same conduct.”