After Donald Trump was found guilty on 34 felony counts in Manhattan, Republicans got a consolation prize Tuesday with the conviction of President Joe Biden’s son on federal gun violation.
Republicans described Trump’s guilty verdict as a political hit job. Ironically, some of them on Tuesday were quick to praise justice being served and celebrated “accountability” for the president’s son and that not even the president’ son is above the law. Other Republicans were less enthusiastic: Florida U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz tweeted Hunter Biden’s conviction “is kinda dumb” and the Trump campaign said in a statement “This trial has been nothing more than a distraction from the real crimes of the Biden Crime Family.”
Just like in Trump’s case, a jury in a Democratic-leaning state delivered the guilty verdict for Hunter Biden in Delaware on three felony charges that he made false statements on forms to purchase a weapon and that he unlawfully carried that gun. He claimed he was not addicted to drugs or using illicit drugs despite his well-documented drug addiction. Key evidence came from ex-wives and ex-girlfriends.
Regardless of their details, the outcomes of both trials must be accepted by both sides.
That’s the basic premise of our judicial system, just like accepting the results of an election is what keeps our democracy strong.