Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, has entered a not-guilty plea to charges of illegally owning a handgun at a Delaware courthouse.
Prosecutors allege that Mr Biden, 53, lied about his drug use on application forms when he purchased the weapon in 2018.
Mr Biden has acknowledged that he was a heavy user of crack cocaine at the time, but denies breaking the law.
He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the three federal counts.
The charges could also lead to fines of up to $750,000 (£621,000).
Clad in a dark suit and flanked by Secret Service agents and his defence team, Mr Biden did not speak during the brief arraignment, other than to acknowledge the charges against him and his rights as a defendant.
The plea was entered on his behalf by his attorney, Abbe Lowell. In a statement afterward, Mr Lowell said he believes the charges are the result of “political pressure” by right-wing Republicans.
BBC