Hunter Biden is facing charges of possessing a firearm illegally, classified as a felony, as well as tax misdemeanors.
The White House released a statement saying, “The President and First Lady love their son and support him as he continues to rebuild his life,” and they will not provide further comments.
While the plea deal still requires approval from a federal judge, it could potentially put an end to a federal investigation that has garnered significant attention from Republicans and Democrats alike since before President Biden’s inauguration.
According to the Washington Post, the deal is expected to result in probation for the tax misdemeanors, thus avoiding jail time for Hunter Biden. If he complies with the terms of his pre-trial diversion program, he may also have the gun charge expunged from his record after two years, as sources familiar with the matter informed the Post.
The gun charge is a result of Hunter Biden’s admission in his recent autobiography that he was frequently using crack cocaine, approximately every 15 minutes, around the time he bought a handgun in 2018. When purchasing the firearm, Biden stated on a federal background check that he was not using illegal drugs at that time.
Shortly after the handgun was purchased, Hallie Biden, Hunter’s then-girlfriend and the widow of his late brother, unlawfully disposed of the weapon by placing it in a public trash can outside a grocery store in Delaware. Following an investigation by the Delaware police into the disposal of the firearm, Secret Service agents visited the gun store where the purchase was made and requested the associated paperwork, as reported by Politico. Suspecting an attempt to cover up the incident, the gun store owner declined to provide the paperwork to the Secret Service agents and instead handed it over to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
The gun was later discovered by an individual who was searching through the trash and promptly turned it in. No charges were filed in connection with the incident, and the Secret Service denied any involvement.
The plea agreements have emerged following revelations from an IRS whistleblower who accused the Biden administration of intentionally delaying the investigation into Hunter’s alleged misconduct.
In his first public interview last month, the IRS agent stated, “There were multiple steps that were deliberately delayed or completely neglected, under the direction of the Department of Justice. When I took charge of this particular investigation, I immediately noticed deviations from the standard procedures. It was far outside what I have previously encountered.”
In response to Hunter’s plea deal, James Comer, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, criticized the Department of Justice for operating a “two-tiered” justice system.
Comer said in a statement, “Let’s be clear: the Department of Justice’s charges against President Biden’s son Hunter reveal a two-tiered system of justice. Hunter Biden is receiving a lenient punishment, despite growing evidence uncovered by the House Oversight Committee, which suggests that the Bidens engaged in a pattern of corruption, influence peddling, and potentially bribery. These charges against Hunter Biden and the favorable plea deal do not affect the Oversight Committee’s investigation. We will continue our pursuit until we uncover the full extent of President Biden’s involvement in his family’s schemes.”
While Hunter’s personal legal troubles may be resolved through compliance with his plea agreements, he remains a central figure in an extensive House Oversight investigation that could have significant political implications for the 2024 elections.
