Trump campaign and Republicans use the verdict against Hunter Biden to intensify their attacks on the father

Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign team and many of the former president’s Republican allies are using Hunter Biden’s conviction to escalate attacks on President Joe Biden.

Shortly after the younger Biden was found guilty in the federal case, Trump’s team tried to shift the focus, without evidence, to allegations about the family’s alleged foreign business dealings.

“This trial was nothing more than a distraction from the real crimes of the Biden family, which has raked in tens of millions of dollars from China, Russia and Ukraine,” Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign’s national press secretary, said in a statement. “Corrupt Joe Biden’s reign over the Biden family criminal empire ends on November 5th, and never again will a Biden sell government access for personal profit.”

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, who is leading Republicans’ stalled impeachment proceedings against President Biden, made similar unsubstantiated claims.

“Today’s ruling is a step toward accountability, but until the Justice Department investigates all of the individuals involved in the Bidens’ corrupt influence schemes that generated over $18 million in foreign payments to the Biden family, it will be clear that Department officials will continue to cover for the big guy, Joe Biden,” Comer said.

Republicans have long alleged that there was misconduct in the foreign business dealings of Hunter Biden and James Biden and that President Biden was involved, but have so far provided no concrete evidence against the president.

The third-highest Republican in the House, Elise Stefanik, said the verdict against Hunter Biden was the “first step” and that the party would “continue” the investigation into the family.

When asked about the verdict, House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters it was “appropriate” because there was “overwhelming” evidence against Hunter Biden.

However, when asked whether the outcome undermines his claim of a two-tiered justice system – a statement supported by many Republicans in light of Trump’s legal problems – Johnson said no.

“All of the charges brought against him (Trump) were obviously made for political reasons,” Johnson said. “Hunter Biden is a special case.”

Hunter Biden was indicted in September by special counsel David Weiss on two counts of making false statements in the purchase of the firearm and a third count of illegally acquiring a firearm while addicted to drugs. The indictment came after a deal with the federal government fell through.

The failed settlement was sharply criticized by Republicans. On Tuesday, they were still talking about a “favor deal.”

“They want you to forget that the Justice Department offered Hunter Biden a favor deal with TOTAL immunity for ALL crimes against the United States until the judge asks questions,” said Senator Eric Schmitt, a Republican from Missouri.

After a week-long trial, a jury found the younger Biden guilty on all three counts after only three hours of deliberation.

His lawyer, Abbe Lowell, said in a statement that they would continue to exhaust all available legal remedies to challenge the outcome.

In his first comment on the conviction, President Biden expressed his love for his son and said he respected the verdict and the trial process.

“Jill and I will always stand by Hunter and the rest of our family with our love and support,” President Biden said. “Nothing will ever change that.”

ABC News’ Soorin Kim, Arthur Jones and Allison Pecorin contributed to this report.