First lady Jill Biden supports Hunter Biden with near-daily court visits during trial

As Hunter Biden continues his trial in Delaware over allegations he lied on a gun permit application, first lady Jill Biden was by his side, showing support while juggling her duties official.

Almost every day this week, Jill Biden was in court watching the proceedings with other family members and became emotional as details of Hunter Biden's drug addictions, strained relationships and other dark aspects of his past unfolded were mentioned by prosecutors.

The first lady's commitment to attending the trial was evident when she returned Thursday evening from France, where she accompanied President Joe Biden to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, to attend Friday's court hearings before returning abroad to attend a state dinner. organized by the French Prime Minister on Saturday.

President Biden did not appear at his son's trial. In a statement released Monday, as jury selection was underway, Biden said he would not comment on the case but expressed “boundless love” for his son.

“I am the president, but I am also a father. Jill and I love our son and we are so proud of the man he is today,” the president said in the statement. “Hunter’s resilience in the face of adversity and the strength he brought to his recovery inspire us.”

Hunter Biden was indicted in September by Special Counsel David Weiss on two counts of making false statements in purchasing the firearm and a third count of unlawfully obtaining a firearm. fire while he was a drug addict. Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty and denied the charges.

The indictment came after a plea deal with the feds fell apart at the last minute last summer. It was the first time that a child of a sitting president had been criminally charged.

Hunter Biden's legal troubles have put the first family in the spotlight of criticism, including among Republicans on the Hill and former President Donald Trump.

The taunts have not seemed to deter Jill Biden from showing up in court almost every day since the proceedings began.

The first lady entered the courtroom with her security guards, which at times affected foot traffic in the federal courthouse because the first family needs protection.

Hunter Biden was seen kissing his mother-in-law before she took her place in the front row. Jill Biden often sat next to her daughter Ashley Biden, Hunter's sister-in-law; Valerie Biden, the president's sister; or Melissa Cohen, Hunter Biden's wife.

During the first week of the hearing, the first lady was attentive and then turned to the screen showing displays of videos, photos or text message data collected by the government.

She was visibly emotional Tuesday as some of those displays included audio excerpts from Hunter's book – reading to her in lurid detail stories about her addiction to crack and alcohol.

Hunter Biden has spoken openly about his addictions and its effects on his entire family, including his parents. In his 2018 memoir, he explained how then-Vice President Biden saved his life while he was in the throes of a binge and pushed him into rehab.

Jill and Ashley Biden sat side by side as the clips played, sometimes leaning their heads together. At one point, as Hunter Biden's voice described a raucous 12-day experience in Los Angeles, Jill Biden raised her left arm and wrapped it around her daughter's shoulders.

A person sitting with the family told ABC News they were both “fighting back tears.”

On Friday, Jill and Hunter Biden entered the courtroom arm in arm as Naomi Biden, Hunter Biden's daughter, took the stand for the defense. As she testified, her husband, Peter Neal, sat in the gallery next to the first lady.

It is unclear whether Hunter Biden will take the stand in his own defense when the trial resumes next week.

The two counts of making false statements carry sentences of up to 10 years and five years respectively, while the possession charge carries a sentence of up to 10 years.

President Biden told “World News Tonight” anchor David Muir on Thursday that he would accept the outcome of his son's trial and would not consider pardoning him.

Lucien Bruggeman of ABC News contributed to this report.