Hunter Biden pleads not guilty to federal firearms charges

Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to federal firearms charges on Tuesday at a Delaware-based federal court during his arraignment, which marked the first time a sitting president's child has appeared to fight criminal charges in court.

President Joe Biden's son entered the not guilty plea before Magistrate Judge Christopher Burke on three charges after he allegedly made a false statement on a federal gun form and illegally owned a firearm while using illegal drugs. The plea was expected, per a court filing last month from Biden's attorney Abbe Lowell. 

Burke also said at the hearing that Hunter Biden has continued to pass the drug tests that were administered. Another trial date has not been set.

Last month Burke rejected Biden's request to appear virtually for the first hearing in the case, requiring the first son to travel from his home in California to Wilmington, Delaware, to face the charges.

The appearance comes as House Republicans ramp up their impeachment inquiry into President Biden for his alleged involvement in his son's overseas business deals.

Weiss brought the charges against Hunter Biden after the first son's plea deal relating to two misdemeanor tax charges fell apart when the judge questioned the deal's constitutionality.

While Burke is overseeing the arraignment, U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika, the same judge who presided over proceedings involving the attempted plea deal earlier this summer, is overseeing the firearms charges. 

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