Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, has a tentative plea deal that includes two misdemeanors and a diversion on firearms charges, the Washington Post reported. The younger Biden likely won't see any jail time, according to Tuesday's legal filing that will have to be approved by a federal judge.
Despite years of investigations and significant findings, Hunter Biden struck a favorable deal with federal prosecutors on misdemeanor tax charges. The plea deal stipulates probation for failing to pay $100,000 in backed taxes for 2017 and 2018 after not reporting his income while living in Washington, D.C.
The 53-year-old is also facing a gun violation from 2018. On an application for a gun permit, Hunter Biden failed to disclose his drug abuse despite being in the throes of a crack addiction.
He even shared the details of his addiction in his autobiography with the timing coinciding with the infraction. Not only would he have been guilty of making a false representation, but he would also have incurred another violation for illegal possession.
Instead of pleading guilty to more serious charges, he has was given an out offered to nonviolent offenders struggling with substance abuse. Court documents state that "the defendant has agreed to enter a Pretrial Diversion Agreement with respect to the firearm Information."
If he successfully completes the program, Hunter Biden could have the violation wiped from his record. In all, he's looking at only two years probation and complying with conditions imposed by the program.
"Hunter will take responsibility for two instances of failure to file tax payments when due," a written statement from one of Hunter Biden's attorneys, Chris 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," he added.
"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," Clark said.
Given the nature of Hunter Biden's crimes versus the penalties he will likely receive, many Republicans are angry at the "sweetheart" deal served to the president's son on a silver platter, Fox News reported. Many believe this break was only available because he's the president's son.
"It’s no coincidence that less than a week after President Trump is arraigned by the DOJ, Hunter Biden is pleading guilty to a sweetheart deal with no jail time," Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) said to Fox Digital in a written statement. "The DOJ is going for the low-hanging fruit by charging Hunter Biden with a gun felony and two tax misdemeanors, after years of slow walking their investigation," she added.
"For AG Garland to maintain his mantra that there is one standard of justice is pathetic," Blackburn went on. "If the DOJ thinks this dismisses the $5 million alleged bribery scheme or the years of reported Biden family corruption, they are mistaken. We will not allow full accountability to fall by the wayside."
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy contrasted the way the president's son was treated compared to former President Joe Biden's son. "If you are the president's leading political opponent, the DOJ tries to literally put you in jail and give you prison time," McCarthy said, according to USA Today.
"If you are Biden's son, you get a sweetheart deal," he added. McCarthy said the plea deal has no impact on congressional probes currently underway and that it "actually should enhance our investigation because the DOJ should not be able to withhold any information now."
Hunter Biden will get a slap on the wrist for serious crimes, while a former president could be facing years in prison. There's clearly an unequal application of justice when it comes to Democrats and Republicans -- and they're not even attempting to hide it anymore.
