Hunter Biden, the president’s son, has agreed to plead guilty to two federal misdemeanor counts of failing to pay his taxes but will avoid prosecution on one felony gun charge, according to court documents filed on Tuesday.
As part of the agreement, Biden, 53, will acknowledge his failure to pay taxes on income he received in 2017 and 2018. As a result, prosecutors will recommend probation, meaning he will likely avoid prison time.
The other charge is one felony count related to illegal possession of a firearm, which would not require Hunter Biden to submit a plea as long as he agrees to certain terms over a specified period of time.
“I know Hunter believes it is important to take responsibility for these mistakes he made during a period of turmoil and addiction in his life,” Biden’s attorney Chris Clark said in a statement. “He looks forward to continuing his recovery and moving forward.”
A spokesperson for Attorney General Merrick Garland declined to comment when asked about the plea deal.
If Biden accepts the plea deal, it will likely put an end to an investigation that has not only plagued Hunter Biden but his father, whose political opponents have focused on Biden’s overseas business dealings in several House investigations.
Hunter’s father, President Joe Biden, was in San Francisco Tuesday speaking at an AI event. He was asked by reporters about his son’s situation.
“I’m very proud of my son,” the President said.
Republicans reacted to the news, claiming the Justice Department is being biased in favor of Democrats amid former Republican President Donald Trump being charged in the classified documents case last week.
“If you are the president’s leading political opponent, the DOJ tries to literally put you in jail and give you prison time,” House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said.
“If you are the president’s son, you get a sweetheart deal,” he continued.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a top Trump ally, said the plea deal raises a lot of questions about the Department of Justice.
“This has taken over four years. And to wind up with tax evasion and a gun charge, there will be a lot of questions. And the one question that people ask: Is this a sweetheart deal?” Graham said.
