Hunter Biden’s Plea Deal Goes Off The Rails As Judge Asks For Changes

On Wednesday, President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, pleaded not guilty to two federal misdemeanors for not paying his taxes on time. The hearing began at 10:00 a.m. at the federal courthouse in Wilmington, Delaware, but the judge unexpectedly delayed a decision.

Last month, Hunter Biden reached a plea deal with prosecutors by agreeing to admit to tax fraud and pay around $2 million, and to enter a two-year probation period that will resolve a felony gun charge. Hunter Biden is the first son of a sitting president to ever plead guilty to a crime.

The Donald Trump-appointed federal judge overseeing the case, Maryellen Noreika, asked the two sides on Wednesday to make changes to their plea deal that would clarify the scope of immunity from prosecution that it would grant Hunter Biden. Her request has delayed the deal from taking effect and has now subjected it to more scrutiny from opponents who feel that Hunter Biden was let off with a slap on the wrist.

Though there is no indication that Biden or his administration ever tried to disrupt the Justice Department’s investigation into Hunter Biden, Republicans are not satisfied with the results of the probe.

U.S. Attorney David Weiss led the investigation. Weiss was appointed by Trump and allowed to stay on during Biden’s term, as the president wanted to be sure that the inquiry into his son remained unbiased.

Despite efforts to keep politics out of the investigation, many are still accusing the Justice Department of giving preferential treatment to Hunter Biden. Two IRS whistleblowers involved in the probe claimed that Hunter Biden was given a “sweetheart deal” and accused prosecutors of illegally protecting the Biden family.

Weiss and Attorney General Merrick Garland, among others involved, have all refuted these allegations.

Hunter Biden’s lawyers estimated that it would take around two weeks before the requested changes to the agreement would be completed.