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Hunter Biden’s federal gun trial to begin today
Jury selection in Hunter Biden’s federal gun trial begins Monday in Delaware, as he faces three felony charges stemming from his alleged illegal purchase and possession of a firearm in 2018 while he was a drug user.
Biden was indicted by a federal grand jury in September after a diversion agreement for a felony gun offense and a plea deal related to misdemeanor tax charges unraveled when U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika questioned whether the agreement would allow him to avoid potential future charges.
Hunter Biden’s attorneys decried the charges and argued they were “unconstitutional” and “unprecedented,” as well as in violation of the diversion agreement they maintain was still legally binding and valid.
A flurry of motions to dismiss filed by Biden’s attorneys were denied by Judge Noreika, and a federal appeals court rejected his motion to dismiss the gun charges in May.
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In the three-count indictment, the president’s son is charged with making false statements on a federal gun form about his drug use, certifying he was not a user of or addicted to any controlled substance during a period when prosecutors allege he was addicted to crack cocaine. Biden purchased a Colt Cobra .38 Special revolver, and it remained in his possession for 11 days before it was discarded in an outdoor receptacle by Hallie Biden, Hunter Biden’s romantic partner at the time.
Prosecutors are expected to introduce evidence that details Biden’s use of controlled substances leading up to and during the period he purchased the firearm. In their trial brief, they reference Biden’s own admission of drug addiction in excerpts from his memoir, Beautiful Things, as well as photos and videos from his laptop and text messages.
Prosecutors also intend to include testimony from Hunter Biden’s former romantic partners recounting his substance abuse, including his ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle and Hallie Biden, the widow of his late brother, Beau Biden, and expert testimony from FBI and DEA agents.
Hunter Biden’s attorneys seek to call their own expert witnesses on addiction and forensic psychiatry and forensic toxicology.
The charges were brought by special counsel David Weiss who was appointed U.S. attorney for Delaware by former President Donald Trump and named special counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2023. Federal probes into Hunter Biden, led by Weiss, spanned five years over the course of both the Trump and Biden administrations.
Attorneys for Hunter Biden asserted that Weiss “buckled under political pressure to bring more severe charges” after the plea agreement elicited a “sharp rebuke” from former President Trump and his Republican allies when it was first made public. Weiss’ office slammed claims that the charges were fueled by politics and were pursued to appease Republicans.
“The charges in this case are not trumped up or because of former President Trump—they are instead a result of the defendant’s own choices and were brought in spite of, not because of, any outside noise made by politicians,” prosecutors said.
Hunter Biden faces up to 25 years in prison and $750,000 in fines if convicted on all counts.
Separately, he faces nine federal tax charges in the central district of California in a second indictment brought by Weiss’ office where federal prosecutors allege President Biden’s son engaged in a “four-year scheme” to avoid paying at least $1.4 million in federal taxes.
Hunter Biden is charged with three felony and six misdemeanor charges related to his alleged failure to file and pay taxes, evasion of assessment, and filing a false or fraudulent tax return. Biden has pleaded not guilty to those charges.
His motions to dismiss the federal tax charges were all denied by U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi in April. If convicted, Hunter Biden faces up to 17 years in prison.
References to the tax charges or questioning related to those charges or the plea hearing are not admissible in his federal gun trial in Delaware.
Williams Sonoma
If you’re seeking restaurant-style nugget ice or just a way to make ice quickly for parties, a countertop ice maker may be right for you and your kitchen. They’re a great option if your refrigerator doesn’t have a built-in ice maker.
When shopping for a countertop ice maker, consider how much ice it can make per day, plus what types of ice it makes. When it comes to technology, some ice makers keep it simple, while others can be controlled through your smartphone. And consider how you would like to refill your ice maker. Some ice makers must be manually refilled while others come with an inlet hose.
Ahead we’ve rounded up the best countertop ice makers from GE, Frigidaire, Igloo and more brands. Say goodbye to smelly, freezer-burned ice from your ice cube tray with one of the appliances ahead. They make fresh ice much faster than your standard ice tray in the freezer.
Best ice makers of 2024
All of the options below have a 4.0 or higher review score.
Most popular ice maker: Silonn countertop ice maker
Amazon
This No. 1 bestseller on Amazon takes just six minutes to make nine bullet-shaped ice cubes and can make 26 pounds of fresh ice in just 24 hours. The Silonn countertop ice maker has more than 27,000 reviews and a 4.4-star rating.
This countertop ice maker is self-cleaning and comes with an ice scoop. It can make two sizes of bullet ice. Find the Silonn countertop ice maker in eight colors at varying prices.
This 4.4-star-rated ice maker is currently on sale at Amazon with an instant coupon.
Best splurge ice maker: GE Profile Opal 2.0 nugget ice maker with Wi-Fi
Williams Sonoma
There’s ice and then there’s nugget ice. Nugget ice is the soft, easy-to-crunch ice that’s used in some of your favorite fast food drinks. Because there’s trapped air, nugget ice lasts longer in drinks. Its softer texture, meanwhile, makes it ideal for use in summery blended drinks.
This splurge-worthy ice maker from GE is available in two colors, with the more budget-friendly option being stainless steel. You can request fresh ice from your smartphone, Alexa or Google Assistant and have it ready in 20 minutes. It makes up to 24 pounds of ice a day and comes with a scoop.
It’s rated 4.3 stars and currently on sale for $480 at Williams Somnoma.
Best budget ice maker: Countertop ice maker
Amazon
This bullet ice maker with a handle is your most affordable option and still makes up to 26 pounds of ice in 24 hours. It can make nine ice cubes in as little as six minutes. This budget-friendly ice maker has won the hearts of many reviewers, with a 4.5-star rating on Amazon.
We like that this model is self-cleaning. It comes with an ice scoop. Choose between five color options.
This 4.5-star-rated ice maker is currently on sale for $80 with an instant coupon.
Best value ice maker: Frigidaire ice maker
Amazon
This more affordable Frigidaire ice maker makes two sizes of ice. It can produce up to 26 pounds of ice per day, with the first batch ready in as little as six minutes.
“It’s cool because if you just need some ice for a small party, you can make enough within about 20 minutes,” an Amazon reviewer says. “[This machine is] also very beautiful.”
Find this ice maker in four colors. It comes with a scoop and is rated 4.5 stars.
Best ice maker for bullet ice: Kissair countertop ice maker
Walmart
This affordable ice maker with a handle makes up to 26 pounds of bullet-shaped ice. It can have nine bullet-shaped ice cubes ready in as little as six minutes.
This portable ice maker is self-cleaning and comes with an ice scoop. Its handle makes it easy to transport. It’s rated 4.5 stars, comes in five colors and is currently discounted $72 at Walmart.
Most stylish ice maker: Igloo automatic ice maker
Amazon
This Igloo ice maker comes in fun colors, as well as classic colors like white and stainless steel. It makes up to 26 pounds of ice in 24 hours or nine ice cubes in as little as seven minutes.
This ice maker produces two ice cube sizes and is equipped with a self-cleaning feature. It also includes a convenient ice scoop and has received a 4.1-star rating.
Starting next week, the price of a “Forever” stamp will increase by a nickel to 73 cents, the second time the United States Postal Service has raised the cost of postage this year.
The price of a Forever stamp has steadily climbed since they cost 41 cents when the USPS introduced them in 2007, most recently in January when the agency raised the price from 66 cents to 68 cents.
Other postage rates are also set to jump. Mailing a postcard domestically will cost 56 cents, a 3-cent increase, while the price of mailing postcards and letters internationally are both rising by a dime to $1.65. Overall, postage costs are rising 7.8% increase, USPS said in a statement in April.
“These price adjustments are needed to achieve the financial stability sought by the organization’s Delivering for America 10-year plan,” the agency said at the time.
The new postage rates take effect on July 14.
By contrast, the price of renting a Post Office Box is not going up, and USPS will reduce the cost of postal insurance 10% when mailing an item, according to the agency.
Postage prices may be rising, but customers also have more Forever options to choose from. USPS in June began offering two new Forever stamps — one that depicts baseball legend Hank Aaron and another that pays homage to Canadian-American game show host Alex Trebek.
Aaron held professional baseball’s home-run record for three decades until it was broken in 2007, while Trebek hosted Jeopardy until he died of pancreatic cancer in November 2020.
The USPS this year has also launched Forever stamps honoring former First Lady Betty Ford, University of California Los Angeles men’s basketball coach John Wooden and some of the conductors of the Underground Railroad.
Still, the postage increases are hurting mail volume as well as the USPS’ bottom line, some critics says. The agency in November reported a $6.5 billion loss for fiscal 2023 and is projecting a $6.3 billion deficit in 2024, according to Keep US Posted, a nonprofit advocacy group.
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