U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz downplayed a jury's quick decision to find Hunter Biden guilty of federal gun charges on Tuesday — despite his history of animosity toward President Joe Biden and his embattled son.
"The Hunter Biden gun conviction is kinda dumb tbh," the firebrand Florida Republican wrote on social media, using internet shorthand for "to be honest."
Gaetz's dismissal of the case, in which Hunter Biden was convicted on all counts for lying on a gun-purchase form by claiming he wasn't addicted to drugs, clashed with his treatment of the first son during a February 28 deposition in Washington.
During the closed-door grilling, tied to the impeachment inquiry against President Biden by House Republicans, Gaetz engaged in a particularly harsh exchange with Hunter Biden over his former job as a board member of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma.
"Were you on drugs when you were on the Burisma board?" Gaetz asked, the Associated Press reported, citing a transcript of the seven-hour proceeding.
Hunter Biden responded, "Mr. Gaetz, look me in the eye. You really think that's appropriate to ask me?"
"Absolutely," Gaetz said.
Defense lawyer Abbe Lowell told Hunter Biden he didn't need to answer, but the first son did.
"I will answer it this way: I have been absolutely transparent about my drug use," he said. "I'm sorry; I'm an addict. I was an addict."
Gaetz didn't elaborate on why he thought the trial's outcome was "kinda dumb" but he's been an outspoken advocate for gun owners and last year called for the elimination of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Fox News reported at the time.
"The ATF cannot be trusted to protect our right to keep and bear arms," Gaetz said during a Feb. 22, 2023, speech on the House floor. "There is no timeline where the ATF, under any administration, would become an ally. It needs to go, we need to abolish the ATF before they abolish our Second Amendment rights."
Hunter Biden, 54, faces a maximum of 25 years in prison for Tuesday's convictions and is awaiting another trial on federal tax charges.
It's set to begin Sept. 5 in Los Angeles.
