In the wake of Hunter Biden's guilty verdict on felony gun charges, Donald Trump's campaign wasted no time dismissing it as a "distraction from the real crimes of the Biden Crime Family." Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
A campaign spokesperson accused President Joe Biden of presiding over a "Biden Family Criminal Empire" enriched by foreign money, stating: "Crooked Joe Biden's reign over the Biden Family Criminal Empire is all coming to an end on November 5th, and never again will a Biden sell government access for personal profit," according to Politico. Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
The statement appeared to be a modified version that initially included well-wishes for Hunter Biden before removing his name entirely. Jasper Colt / USA TODAY NETWORK
"This trial has been nothing more than a distraction from the real crimes of the Biden Crime Family, which has raked in tens of millions of dollars from China, Russia and Ukraine," spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said. Olivia Falcigno / USA TODAY NETWORK
Trump and Republican allies have persistently alleged the president profited from his son's business activities abroad, though they have struggled to prove such claims or sway voters. A GOP-led impeachment inquiry has also stalled in the House. Jasper Colt / USA TODAY NETWORK
Republican reactions to Hunter Biden's conviction were decidedly mixed. In a post on X, Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.) cast it as warranted accountability and "equal application of the law" following Trump's own conviction on business fraud charges in Manhattan. @RepJasonSmith / X
Others, however, floated unsubstantiated theories that the Justice Department shielded the president by not pursuing additional cases against his son related to foreign dealings. Josh Morgan / USA TODAY NETWORK
"DOJ is Joe's election protection racket," claimed former Trump adviser Stephen Miller, while Sen. Josh Hawley said "Never forget DOJ tried to avoid this trial & verdict by giving Hunter a sweetheart plea deal. Until the judge exposed them." Jack Gruber / USA TODAY
A few dismissed the conviction outright, with Rep. Matt Gaetz calling it "kinda dumb tbh." Steven Hirsch/Pool via USA TODAY NETWORK
Others tried walking a line, like Kash Patel deeming it "a fleeting moment of justice" that nonetheless "expose[d] the inequities in our legal system based on its weaponization." Jack Gruber / USA TODAY
For his part, President Biden told ABC News: "I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal." Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from Washington D.C, United States / Wikimedia
He previously told ABC he would not pardon his son over the charges. The White House / Wikimedia
