Republicans celebrate Hunter Biden's conviction as a 'step towards accountability'... but claim the president's son has avoided more serious crimes

Republicans largely praised a jury convicting Hunter Biden of three counts related to lying on a gun form after largely claiming the justice system is weaponized when Donald Trump was convicted weeks ago.

A Wilmington, Delaware, jury unanimously voted to convict Joe Biden’s son of two counts of lying on a federal form to buy a gun, and one count of possessing the firearm while abusing drugs.

The historic conviction marks the first time a current President’s child has been found guilty of a felony.

'Timing is everything. This is the veil of fairness in the Justice System under [President Biden],' said Rep. Nancy Mace, R-Fla., a Hunter Biden foe on the Oversight Committee. 

'I am glad to see that justice has been served. Nobody is above the law, including the President’s son,' said Rep. Josh Brecheen, R-Okla.

Oversight Chair James Comer, who has led the Biden impeachment probe, called the verdict a 'step toward accountability.'

Republicans largely praised a jury convicting Hunter Biden of three counts related to lying on a gun form after largely claiming the justice system is weaponized when Donald Trump was convicted weeks ago

But, he added, 'until the Department of Justice investigates everyone involved in the Bidens’ corrupt influence peddling schemes that generated over $18 million in foreign payments to the Biden family, it will be clear department officials continue to cover for the Big Guy, Joe Biden.' 

Hunter will now await Judge Maryellen Noreika to decide on a sentence for the crimes, which could be as high as 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine – though the typical sentence is much lower. 

Hours after the conviction, President Biden is set to speak at an pro-gun control Everytown event. 

Biden said of the verdict: 'I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal. Jill and I will always be there for Hunter and the rest of our family with our love and support. Nothing will ever change that.'

Oversight Chair James Comer, who has led the Biden impeachment probe, called the verdict a 'step toward accountability

Hunter's attorney said they will 'continue to vigorously pursue all the legal challenges available.' 

'Today is the first step in delivering accountability for the Biden crime family,' said House GOP conference chair Elise Stefanik, as she praised the judge for throwing out the prior plea deal when Hunter wanted an agreement that he could not be prosecuted for other crimes in the future. 

'We will continue as House Republicans to investigate the Biden crime family for the corrupting influence peddling schemes that generated over $18 million in foreign payments to the Biden fund family members. So this is one step but again, it goes back to the corruption of Joe Biden's DOJ that they tried to negotiate a sweetheart plea deal or not for that judge who paid very close attention and expose that we would not have this verdict today.'

The plea deal between Hunter Biden and prosecutors that would have spared him the politically explosive trial during an election year for his father fell apart in spectacular fashion last year. 

The case revolved around a 38-caliber Colt Cobra Special Hunter owned for about 11 days in 2018 - during the throes of his drug addiction he has written about in his memoir. 

His lawyers say he never fired the weapon. The trial did not touch on foreign business matters that Republicans have seized on as evidence of Biden family corruption. 

Last week House GOP leaders referred both Hunter and James Biden to the DOJ for prosecution, claiming they'd lied under oath during Capitol Hill depositions about their business deals and Joe Biden's involvement.  

The verdict came less than two weeks after Trump had been found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to his hush money payment of porn star Stormy Daniels. 

'Today is a shameful day in American history,' House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a statement of that verdict.

'Democrats cheered as they convicted the leader of the opposing party on ridiculous charges, predicated on the testimony of a disbarred, convicted felon. This was a purely political exercise, not a legal one.'