President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are standing by their son Hunter after a court filing revealed he has reached a plea deal for federal tax and gun charges.
“The president and first lady love their son and support him as he continues to rebuild his life,” White House Counsel’s Office spokesman Ian Sams told reporters Tuesday. “We will have no further comment.”
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Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, wrote to the U.S. District Court Tuesday to advise it that Hunter Biden has agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of failing to pay $100,000 in federal income tax in 2017 and 2018. Hunter has also agreed to enter into a pretrial diversion program for one felony charge of possessing a firearm, a Colt Cobra 38SPL revolver, in 2018, despite being public about his substance abuse issues. The Justice Department will reportedly seek probation for the tax offenses while Hunter undertakes drug and alcohol treatment, but his sentence will be determined by a judge.
Hunter Biden’s lawyer, Christopher Clark, underscored his understanding the deals will resolve the five-year federal investigation into his client.
“Hunter will take responsibility for two instances of misdemeanor failure to file tax payments when due pursuant to a plea agreement,” Clark said. “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.”
Joe Biden has reiterated his support for Hunter amid his legal challenges and congressional investigations, including an ongoing Arkansas child support case.
“First of all, my son has done nothing wrong,” Biden told MSNBC last month. “I trust him. I have faith in him. It impacts my presidency by making me feel proud of him.”
The White House has been repeatedly pressed about Hunter Biden since the transition when he and the president first confirmed the younger Biden had been under federal investigation since 2018.
“An IRS special agent wants whistleblower protection to talk about the investigation on Hunter Biden’s taxes,” one reporter said in April. “What is the White House’s message to employees who wonder if there should be political considerations when things affect the president’s family?”
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“The president has always been clear, during the campaign, during his presidency, that the Department of Justice should have independence, they should not be politicized, and they should be able to do their job independently,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre replied. “I’ll leave it to Department of Justice to make their decision to do — to move forward with this particular case. We’re just not going to comment from here.”
Correction: An earlier version of this story said President Joe Biden was “proud” of his son in the wake of the plea deal news. The quote came from a Biden interview last month and had recirculated online. The Washington Examiner regrets the error.
