Democrat slams ‘staggering’ contrast in GOP response to Trump, Hunter Biden verdicts

Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), the top Democrat on the House Rules Committee, on Tuesday slammed his GOP colleagues for their acceptance of the Hunter Biden verdict after arguing former President Trump’s guilty verdict was the result of a rigged system.

Hunter Biden was convicted Tuesday on three counts related to failing to acknowledge drug use when purchasing a weapon.

“The contrast today is just staggering. Apparently, when a Republican is convicted, it’s weaponization. But when a Democrat is convicted, the president’s son no less, that’s justice. I mean, give me a break. Hunter Biden was found guilty by a jury of his peers, just like Donald Trump, because this is our justice system at work,” McGovern said.

“After the verdict this morning, how can any Republican in their right mind argue that the Biden administration is weaponizing the DOJ to hurt Republicans and to help Democrats? They just convicted the president’s own son,” he added, noting ongoing prosecution of Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) on charges related to abusing their offices.

Following Trump’s conviction on 34 charges connected with concealing hush money payments to an adult film star ahead of the 2016 election, congressional Republicans vowed to hold back funding from the Justice Department and even local prosecutors.

Some have, without evidence, claimed that the White House and Justice Department were involved with the state-level prosecution, something both have denied. DOJ forcefully pushed back on the claims in a letter noting they have no communications with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

And House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said he had a three-pronged plan to take on the justice system writ large following the verdict. 

Trump himself has suggested he would be justified in seeking revenge for the case if he is reelected.

President Biden on Tuesday said he accepted the outcome of the trial even as his son’s legal team said they would appeal the verdict.

“As I said last week, I am the President, but I am also a Dad. I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today,” President Biden said in a statement. 

“As I also said last week, I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal.”