(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.
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The Bush twins faced underage drinking charges. (“bush-twins.041001” by timothyhorrigan is licensed under CC BY 2.0.) -
Amy Carter was arrested for protesting. (U.S. Embassy, Jakarta Indonesia) -
Donald Trump, Jr. spent 11 hours in jail for public intoxication. (“Donald Trump, Jr.” by Gage Skidmore is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.) -
Neil Bush was investigated for his role in an oil and gas company. (“Neil Bush (5817515972)” by JD Lasica from Pleasanton, CA, US is licensed under CC BY 2.0.) -
Roger Clinton faced drug trafficking and DUI charges. (“Roger Clinton 1997” by John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.)
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.
