What the son's conviction means for President Biden.
Hunter Biden's conviction for lying about his drug use on a firearm license application will be a crushing personal blow to his father, Joe Biden.
The US president serves as the patriarch of a close-knit family that has had its fair share of personal sorrow and trauma.
His surviving son has now been found guilty of three federal felonies, each of which might result in a hefty jail sentence.
However, the ruling is unlikely to influence how Americans vote in the November election.
His father's name will appear on the ballot, not his. There is no evidence linking the president to his son's crimes. There has also been little evidence from polls that the public is paying close attention to this trial.
After the verdict was announced, the president issued a statement alluding to the conflicting obligations that required his attention.
"I am the president, but I am also a dad," he stated.
He went on to say that he continues to support his son and is proud of the guy he has become.
Joe Biden initially stated that he would not comment on the trial, but his son's judicial drama has dogged him for weeks as he carried out his official duties and campaigned for re-election. Hunter's undetermined punishment may be as distracting as the president prepares for a critical presidential debate later this month.
"This will, of course, be a personal distraction for the president, as it would be for any father," says Michael LaRosa, who worked as First Lady Jill Biden's press secretary during the first two years of her presidency. "It's not a distraction from his duties as president, but I'm sure it will take an emotional toll on the family."
While visiting France for D-Day commemorations last week, President Biden stated that he would not use his authority to pardon his son. He also stated that he will accept the jury's finding, which contrasts with Donald Trump's rejection of his own conviction as unfair and corrupt.
Trump's trial turned into a politicized clash, with Republican lawmakers rallying behind the former president to oppose the process. Hunter's conviction had a different vibe, as it marked the end of a difficult chapter for the Biden family.
