Earlier this summer, President Biden was feeling hopeful.
But when the agreement collapsed in late July, Mr. Biden, whose upbeat public image often belies a more mercurial temperament, was stunned.
He plunged into sadness and frustration, according to several people close to him who spoke on the condition of anonymity to preserve their relationships with the Biden family.
Since then, his tone in conversations about Hunter has been tinged with a resignation that was not there before, his confidants say.
Now, as the Justice Department plans to indict Hunter Biden on a gun charge in coming weeks, White House advisers are preparing for many more months of Republican attacks and the prospect of a criminal trial in the middle of the 2024 presidential campaign.
Persons:
Biden, Hunter, Hunter Biden
Organizations:
Mr, Justice Department