Hunter Biden believes maintaining his sobriety is crucial to safeguarding democracy and preventing former president Donald Trump from returning to the White House, according to comments the president's son made in an interview this week.
"I have something much bigger than even myself at stake. We are in the middle of a fight for the future of democracy," Hunter said in an interview with Axios, fending off Republican scrutiny amid his father President Joe Biden's reelection bid.
"Most importantly, you have to believe that you're worth the work, or you’ll never be able to get sober. But I often do think of the profound consequences of failure here," Hunter Biden told the outlet. "Maybe it's the ultimate test for a recovering addict—I don't know. I have always been in awe of people who have stayed clean and sober through tragedies and obstacles few people ever face. They are my heroes, my inspiration."
Hunter Biden, who says he's been sober since 2019, said in the interview that the temptation is still there. "I don't care whether you're 10 years sober, two years sober, two months sober or 200 years sober—your brain at some level is always telling you there's still one answer," he said.
In November, Hunter published an op-ed in USA Today lambasting media outlets and accusing Republican leaders of weaponizing his addictions. "My struggles and my mistakes have been fodder for a vile and sustained disinformation campaign against [President Joe Biden], and an all-out annihilation of my reputation," he wrote in the op-ed.
Hunter Biden is facing federal prosecution for allegedly lying about his illicit drug use when he purchased a gun in 2018. He's also charged with tax evasion, allegedly dodging millions in taxes while spending exorbitantly on drugs, prostitutes, and cars.
On Wednesday, the Republican-led House Committee on Oversight and Accountability will question Hunter about his foreign business dealings as part of the impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden.