US first lady slams ‘cruel’ Republicans over Hunter Biden attacks

WASHINGTON: US First Lady Jill Biden on Thursday defended her son Hunter against “cruel” attacks by Republicans, in a rare public intervention as President Joe Biden ramps up his reelection campaign.

The 72-year-old spoke out a day after a chaotic Congressional hearing at which a lawmaker brandished naked pictures of Hunter Biden, who has become a target for Republicans as they try to inflict damage on his father ahead of the November election.

“I think what they are doing to Hunter is cruel. And I´m really proud of how Hunter has rebuilt his life after addiction,” Jill Biden told MSNBC´s “Morning Joe” talk show. “You know, I love my son. And it´s hurt my grandchildren, and that´s what I´m so concerned about that. It´s affecting their lives as well.”

The comments marked a rare instance in which Jill Biden has spoken out publicly in defence of Hunter, who has a history of drug and addiction problems and faces a series of legal woes. But the first lady has been taking an increasingly prominent role in the Democratic president´s campaign for a second term.

Republicans have launched an impeachment investigation into Joe Biden over allegations -- for which they have provided no evidence.