President Joe Biden is reportedly blaming himself for Hunter Biden's current legal woes.
The president's son was convicted of three felonies connected to a 2018 purchase of a gun. Prosecutors claimed he lied on a mandatory gun-purchase form by saying he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs.
During the trial, the younger Biden's ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle, and former girlfriends testified he was addicted to cocaine.
A jury found him guilty on all counts Tuesday. He faces up to 25 years in prison, but could walk away with probation.
Insiders say the elder Biden professed feelings of guilt over how his son's high-profile trial played out as he's vyes for a second term in the White House.
"If I weren't running for reelection, he would have gotten the plea deal," Biden reportedly told an unnamed member of his team, according to Politico.
The plea deal would have allowed the younger Biden to avoid prison time, but fell apart in July after GOP lawmakers claimed he was getting preferential treatment as the President's son.
Biden offered a statement shortly after the guilty verdict, reiterating that he and First Lady Jill Biden "love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today."
"As I also said last week, I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal," Biden said.
The younger Biden will likely be sentenced after Election Day.
Until then, Biden aides believe presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump's camp will use his son's conviction to attack his fitness as a father and the nation's leader.
