Hunter Biden's trial shows the US criminal justice system is working

Hunter Biden's trial shows the US criminal justice system is working | GZERO World

Republican lawmakers are attacking the US criminal justice system as “rigged” and “shameful” after former president Donald Trump’s criminal convictions, calling the case a blatant example of political persecution. But in a twist of legal happenstance, Hunter Biden’s criminal trial began in Delaware just days after the Trump verdict was announced.

On GZERO World, Ian Bremmer sits down with former US attorney Preet Bharara and New Yorker columnist Susan Glasser for their reaction to Trump’s unprecedented conviction, the even more unprecedented GOP response, and whether Republican accusations of a “two-tiered” justice system and political witch hunt holds water. In a stunning twist of legal irony, President Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, is currently on trial for lying about paperwork he used to purchase a gun in Delaware.

Bharara pointed out how unlikely it would be, if Trump won the presidency and somehow Don Jr. was indicted and put on trial, that the former president would stand idly by and not comment on it or try to get involved somehow, which Bremmer agreed was “inconceivable.” Not only that, but the timing of Hunter’s trial isn’t good for Biden, who wants the messaging right now to be squarely on Trump’s legal woes.

“You couldn’t even make this up,” Glasser argues, “That literally, while the Democrats finally get a couple days where they’re focusing the lens squarely on Donald Trump and his fitness for office, then boom, two days later, Hunter Biden is on trial. The timing is a reminder that Biden can’t seem to catch a break.”

Catch GZERO World with Ian Bremmer every week on US public television (check local listings) and online.

More from GZERO Media

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz speak with the media following meetings with a Ukrainian delegation on Ukraine-Russia peace talks, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on March 11, 2025.
Saul Loeb/Pool via REUTERS

US National Security Adviser Michael Waltz will exit his post, CBS News first reported, and will be nominated as ambassador to the United Nations. The move brings a premature end to the Floridian’s tumultuous White House stint, one that has been marred ever since he accidentally added a journalist from The Atlantic to a Signal chat discussion about US attack plans in Yemen.

Illegal immigrants from El Salvador arrive at the Comalapa international airport after being deported from the U.S. in Comalapa, on the outskirts of San Salvador.
REUTERS/Ulises Rodriguez

A Trump-appointed federal judge in Texas just dropped a legal bomb on the president’s immigration playbook. US District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. on Thursday ruled that Donald Trump overstepped his authority by invoking the centuries-old Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan migrants without due process.

Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton at campaign rally Fullarton, Adelaide on day 34 of his 2025 Federal Election Campaign in the seat of Sturt, Thursday, May 1, 2025.
AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Voting is underway in Australia’s May 3 federal election, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese seeking a second term for the Labor Party. His main challenger is Peter Dutton, leader of the center-right Liberal Party and the broader Coalition since 2022.

Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, speaks during a policy agreement ceremony with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, South Korea, on May 1, 2025.
Chris Jung via Reuters Connect

South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung had a rough day on Thursday.

- YouTube

What is the importance of the so-called minerals deals, which have now been concluded between Ukraine and the United States? What is the importance of the visit by the Danish King Frederik to Greenland? Carl Bildt, former prime minister of Sweden and co-chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations, shares his perspective on European politics from Stockholm, Sweden.

National Security Adviser Mike Waltz walks to board Marine One at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on April 3, 2025.

REUTERS/Carlos Barria

US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz will exit his post, CBS News first reported, and will be nominated to be ambassador to the United Nations. It brings a premature end to the Floridian’s tumultuous White House stint, one that has been marred ever since he accidentally added a journalist from The Atlantic to a Signal chat regarding US attack plans in Yemen. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will replace Waltz, holding his role on an acting basis.