WILMINGTON, Del. — The federal gun case against Hunter Biden in Delaware began Monday morning, with jury selection the first step in the process.

Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, faces three counts tied to possession of a gun while using narcotics. He pleaded not guilty.

He was joined in court on Monday morning by first lady Jill Biden. It is the first time the progeny of a sitting president has faced a criminal trial.

Joe Biden released a statement at the beginning of the trial.

"I am the President, but I am also a Dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today," he said. "Hunter’s resilience in the face of adversity and the strength he has brought to his recovery are inspiring to us. A lot of families have loved ones who have overcome addiction and know what we mean."

The beginning of the trial comes days after former President Donald Trump — who is running against Hunter Biden's father in November — was convicted of all 34 counts against him in a criminal trial in state court in New York.

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Hunter Biden departs after a court appearance on May 24 in Wilmington, Del.

Hunter Biden departs after a court appearance on May 24 in Wilmington, Del.Matt Rourke / AP

U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika said she plans on calling potential jurors in groups of 50 until they’re able to find 12 people who say they can be impartial when it comes to the president’s son.

About half of the first 30 potential jurors called Monday qualified for further questioning. The bulk of those who did not were excused for hardship or scheduling issues. One of those who was excused was struck for cause after he said he could not be impartial about the law in the case because he believes gun ownership is “a God given right.”

Another potential juror, a middle-aged woman, was removed from the jury pool after she said, “I don’t think I could be fair and impartial from my personal opinion.” When asked what that opinion was, she said, “Not a good one. Sorry.”

Among those who did qualify were a woman whose sister has a history of substance abuse issues and a man who owns four guns. He said he doesn't believe someone who uses drugs should have a gun but didn't have an issue with former drug users owning guns.

Among the questions the judge plans to ask potential jurors in the Wilmington courthouse are, “Do your views regarding the 2024 election or any of the candidates for president in any way prevent you from being a fair and impartial juror in this case?” and “Do you believe Robert Hunter Biden is being prosecuted in this case because his father is the President of the United States and a candidate for President?" Another asks if they believe he “is not being prosecuted for other crimes because his father is the President of the United States."

Conservative critics of the president have long sought to use his son's legal issues against him. The president has denied any involvement in his son's legal troubles or business matters, and efforts by the Republican-led impeachment inquiry to find evidence of wrongdoing by the president have come up short.

Other questions relate to jurors’ views on guns, including, “Do you believe that all people should be permitted by law to buy or possess a firearm regardless of whether they have been or are a user of a controlled substance or addicted to a controlled substance?” Another asks, “Do you believe that the government should not be able to require a background check for a gun purchase?”

Two of the counts accuse Hunter Biden of having completed a form indicating he was not using illegal drugs when he bought a Colt Cobra revolver in October 2018. The third count alleges he possessed a firearm while using a narcotic. The indictment said Hunter Biden certified on a federally mandated form “that he was not an unlawful user of, and addicted to, any stimulant, narcotic drug, and any other controlled substance, when in fact, as he knew, that statement was false and fictitious.”

Prosecutors from special counsel David Weiss' office say they plan to call around 12 witnesses. Among the witnesses they’re expected to call are Hunter Biden’s ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle, and his late brother’s widow, Hallie Olivere Biden.

Prosecutors are also expected to use portions of Hunter Biden’s memoir “Beautiful Things” as evidence against him, as well as a summary of data from his phone and iPad.

Hunter Biden’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, has said that he wants to call the owner of the gun shop as a witness and two to three expert witnesses. Weiss’ office has challenged the testimony of some of the experts.

The trial is expected to last two weeks, according to Judge Noreika, who was nominated to the bench by Trump.

At a May hearing, Noreika ruled that prosecutors would not be able to mention another pending case against Hunter Biden in California, where he’s facing nine tax-related charges. He has pleaded not guilty in that case, which is scheduled to go to trial on September 5.

The outcome of this trial will undoubtedly have significant political and personal implications, adding to the already high-stakes environment surrounding the Biden family and the 2024 presidential election. As the trial unfolds, it will be closely watched by the public and media, with potential repercussions for the broader political landscape.

The charges against Hunter Biden stem from his 2018 purchase of a revolver, during which he allegedly falsely declared on a federal form that he was not using illegal drugs. The gun case is part of a broader legal scrutiny of Hunter Biden's business dealings and personal conduct, which has been a focal point for political attacks against President Biden. The trial's proceedings are expected to delve into Hunter Biden's past struggles with addiction, his personal relationships, and the legal intricacies of firearm regulations.

In addition to the immediate legal consequences, the trial may influence public perceptions of the Biden administration and fuel ongoing partisan debates. The Biden family's handling of Hunter's legal issues, as well as the administration's response to the trial's developments, will be critical in shaping the narrative moving forward. The trial's outcome could also impact legislative discussions on gun control and drug use policies, highlighting the complex interplay between personal conduct and public policy.

As Hunter Biden faces the legal process, the trial serves as a reminder of the broader challenges associated with addiction, legal accountability, and the scrutiny that comes with public life. The proceedings will likely draw significant media attention, providing a detailed examination of the evidence and arguments presented by both the prosecution and the defense. The trial's resolution will be a pivotal moment, not only for Hunter Biden but also for the ongoing discourse surrounding the intersection of personal behavior and political responsibility.