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First family woes: Presidential family legal scandals

Hunter Biden departs from federal court, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, in Wilmington, Del. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

(NewsNation) — Hunter Biden has been found guilty of three firearms charges, and the first son continues to play a pivotal role in GOP investigations into President Joe Biden. But it’s far from the first time a president’s family has faced legal trouble.

While some presidential family members have merely embarrassed the country’s leader or created a scandal with rebellious behavior, others have found themselves in legal jeopardy for various reasons.


Here are a few of the times first families have found themselves at odds with the law.

1. Jenna and Barbara Bush

Former President George W. Bush’s twin daughters pleaded both faced charges related to underage drinking in 2001.

Jenna Bush found herself in trouble for drinking underage twice, pleading no contest to using a fake ID and underage drinking. She was fined and ordered to complete community service, and her license was suspended temporarily.

Barbara Bush pleaded no contest to possession of alcohol as a minor and was given community service and probation along with a court-mandated alcohol awareness course.

2. Amy Carter

Former President Jimmy Carter’s daughter was one of a large group of protesters arrested for trying to block the CIA from recruiting at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Amy Carter faced charges of trespassing and disorderly conduct. She and other protesters, including famed activist Abbie Hoffman, were acquitted by a jury.

3. Donald Trump Jr.

Before his father made it to the White House, Trump Jr. was arrested for public drunkenness during Mardi Gras in New Orleans in 2001. He spent 11 hours in jail as a result.

The first son says he has been sober since 2002, setting aside the drinking and partying of his college years.

4. Roger Clinton

It’s not just first children that can create a presidential headache. Roger Clinton’s behavior was so outrageous that “Headache” actually became his Secret Service code name. He caused scandals for drug use and his connection to a mafia member.

Before his brother took office, Roger Clinton served time for cocaine possession and drug trafficking, crimes President Bill Clinton pardoned him for before leaving office. He also faced multiple DUI arrests.

5. Onyango Obama

President Barack Obama’s uncle was arrested for driving while under the influence in Massachusetts after failing a field sobriety test.

Onyango Obama, the half-brother of President Barack Obama’s father, admitted to sufficient facts in court and was given a year without a finding, which meant the charges would be dismissed if he was not arrested in the following year.

6. Billy Carter

Former President Jimmy Carter didn’t have to deal with just one family member making waves but two. His brother, Billy Carter, was investigated by the Justice Department for failing to properly register as a foreign agent over his ties to Libya and its dictator, Muammar Qaddafi, to his financial benefit.

Like Hunter Biden, Billy Carter also faced trouble with taxes, eventually auctioning off a Georgia property to pay the Internal Revenue Service.

7. Neil Bush

Like Hunter Biden, Neil Bush was offered a seat on the board of an oil and gas company while his father, former President George H. W. Bush, was serving as vice president and expected to run for the White House. Also like Hunter Biden, Neil Bush was accused of influence peddling by those who noted he didn’t have much experience for the role.

However, Silverado collapsed shortly after Bush Sr. took office, costing taxpayers $1 billion. Regulators sued Neil Bush for negligence, though he wasn’t charged with a crime, bringing scandal to his father’s presidency.