Staff Reports
Hunter Biden’s legal troubles are piling up, and they could spell trouble for President Biden’s chances of reelection. Federal prosecutors have indicted Hunter Biden on three felony charges related to possessing a firearm while using drugs. While the charges could lead to a maximum prison sentence of 25 years, the president’s son could face even more time behind bars due to tax fraud and foreign lobbying charges linked to Joe Biden’s time as vice president.
These charges stem from a plea deal that fell apart over the summer. Special Counsel David Weiss stated last month that a trial was now necessary in relation to Hunter Biden’s failure to pay over $200,000 in taxes in 2017 and 2018. The potential charges could be brought in either California or Washington, D.C. However, the timeline for these charges remains unclear.
Prosecutors hinted at the possibility of expanding their investigation to determine if Hunter Biden violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). The president’s son allegedly made millions in foreign business deals by leveraging his father’s position as vice president. This could potentially lead to charges for failure to register as a foreign agent, which has landed multiple Trump associates in prison.
These mounting legal issues add to the challenges facing President Biden’s bid for a second term. Former President Trump, the likely Republican nominee in 2024, currently outperforms Joe Biden in general election polls. Additionally, a recent poll found that half of voters lack confidence in the Justice Department’s handling of the Hunter Biden investigation, following allegations of bias and favoritism shown to the president’s son.
Amidst all this, House Republicans have launched an impeachment inquiry, accusing President Biden of using the vice presidency to benefit his family financially. Investigations have uncovered over $20 million that flowed into the bank accounts of Biden family members and associates from various foreign deals. Former business associates have testified that Joe Biden played a significant role in securing these lucrative deals.
Even some prominent liberal pundits are suggesting that Joe Biden should not run for another term. Hunter Biden had hoped his legal troubles would be resolved by now, but they have only deepened, increasing the likelihood of implicating the president. A failed plea deal on tax and gun charges led to the potential for further prosecution, including charges related to FARA violations.
Hunter Biden’s actions could potentially violate the 1938 FARA law, which requires special registration with the Justice Department for those working on behalf of foreign countries to influence U.S. policy or public opinion. Republicans are urging Special Counsel Weiss to pursue charges against Hunter Biden for foreign lobbying, money laundering, and other crimes that align with the impeachment inquiry.
The allegations against Hunter Biden and the ongoing legal battles not only pose a significant threat to his father’s reelection bid but also cast doubt on the integrity of the Justice Department. The Biden administration will undoubtedly face mounting pressure and scrutiny as these legal challenges continue to unfold.
