President Joe Biden’s son will plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax crimes and the illegal purchase of a handgun, the Justice Department wrote in a Tuesday court filing.
Hunter Biden will enter a “Pretrial Diversion Agreement” on possession of a firearm “by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance,” according to the filing.
He will plead guilty to two counts of “willful failure to pay” his federal income taxes, the filing said. He likely will not service any jail time.
“With the announcement of two agreements between my client, Hunter Biden, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware, it is my understanding that the five-year investigation into Hunter is resolved,” Biden’s lawyer, Christopher Clark, said in a statement.
“Hunter will take responsibility for two instances of misdemeanor failure to file tax payments when due pursuant to a plea agreement,” Clark said. “A firearm charge, which will be subject to a pretrial diversion agreement and will not be the subject of the plea agreement, will also be filed by the government. 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. He looks forward to continuing his recovery and moving forward.”
Biden is expected to appear in a Delaware federal court in the coming days if the deal is approved by a judge.
The White House released a statement Tuesday on behalf of Biden and first lady Jill Biden.
“The President and First Lady love their son and support him as he continues to rebuild his life. We have no further comment at this time,” White House spokesperson Ian Sams said in a statement.
Republicans were critical of the plea deal.
U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) said it’s evidence of the politicization of the Justice Department. Vance said last week that he would hold up DOJ appointments for what he called the “unprecedented political prosecution” of former President Donald Trump, who was indicted on 37 charges related to classified documents last week.
“Any other American would have the book thrown at them,” Vance wrote on Twitter. “The president’s son gets a slap on the wrist. This is exhibit 1,402 for why I’m holding Biden’s DOJ nominees. We have a two-tiered justice system in our country. It’s a disgrace.”
