After an almost six-week trial, Donald Trump became the first former president convicted of felony crimes on May 30.
Less than two weeks later, Hunter Biden was found guilty of three felony gun charges, becoming the first sitting president’s child to be convicted of a felony.
Former President Trump’s first criminal trial began on April 15. The People of New York v. Donald J. Trump centered around the accusation that Trump falsified business records to hide a payment he made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Daniels alleged she had a sexual relationship with Trump in 2006 while he was married to Melania.
America watched as multiple witnesses, including Daniels herself and Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen, testified against the former president. Judge Juan Merchan issued a gag order against him for his public comments on various people in the case.
The trial culminated on May 30. After two days of jury deliberations, they found Trump guilty of all 34 counts. This decision is met with hard scrutiny from Republicans and Trump who said, “This was a rigged, disgraceful trial.”
“I think it’s important that the United States resolidifies the idea of a proper justice system, and [this trial] is important for that,” President of Quinnipiac University Democrats Nicholas Fizzano said. “No one is above the law, and that includes former presidents.”
Many Republicans, including Trump himself, have described this case as political persecution or interference with his campaign.
“It concerns me, along with millions of Americans, that the trial and accordant convictions of former President Donald Trump in New York were imprudently wielded to politically hamper his 2024 campaign,” member of Quinnipiac University College Republicans Zachary Foti said.
A recent Quinnipiac Poll found that 54% of voters said Trump’s conviction doesn’t affect their vote.
Hunter Biden’s trial began on June 3 in Delaware. He was accused of lying on a gun purchase form by denying illegal drug use, despite prosecution claims that he was addicted to crack cocaine at the time.
Hunter Biden was found guilty on all three felony gun charges.
President Biden has stated he would accept the results of the trial and not pardon his son.
“I believe that greater legal action should be brought forward against Mr. Biden and the Biden Family related to their business dealings amongst foreign parties,” Foti said.
Similarly to the case of Trump, some democrats believe this case only came forward because of the Biden family’s status.
“It’s unfortunate that Hunter Biden is being used as a political tool,” Fizzano said. “I think the jury came to the correct decision … But, Hunter Biden is not a candidate for political office. He is not a politician.”
According to a poll by Reuters, 80% of Americans said Hunter Biden’s conviction doesn’t affect who they will vote for come November.
Trump’s sentencing for this trial will take place on July 11. The judge overseeing Hunter Biden’s trial said they will hold a sentencing hearing in about four months.
