Hunter Biden’s agreement to plead guilty to federal charges resulting from a years-long investigation into his tax affairs contradicts prior statements made by President Biden about the matter — who said he was “confident” his son had done nothing wrong.
Fox News confirmed on Tuesday that President Biden’s son will plead guilty to two counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax. He also agreed to enter into a pretrial diversion agreement regarding a separate charge of possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.
The Delaware district attorney’s office said that Hunter Biden received taxable income in excess of $1,500,000 annually in 2017 and 2018 — owing in excess of $100,000 each year. The office also said that the investigation is still ongoing.
HUNTER BIDEN AGREES TO PLEAD GUILTY IN FEDERAL TAX, GUN CASE
Biden was asked by Fox News in 2020, “Are you confident your son Hunter did nothing wrong?”
“I am confident,” then-candidate Biden said.
In 2020, he also said that Hunter is “the smartest guy I know.”
In December 2020, Biden told “Late Show” host Stephen Colbert that he and his wife, Jill, had “great confidence in our son.”
“I am not concerned about any accusations that have been made against him. It’s used to get to me. I think it’s kind of foul play, but look, it is what it is,” Biden said.
On Tuesday, after the news of the plea emerged, the White House issued a brief statement on the matter.
“Let’s be clear: the Department of Justice’s charges against President Biden’s son Hunter reveal a two-tiered system of justice. Hunter Biden is getting away with a slap on the wrist when growing evidence uncovered by the House Oversight Committee reveals the Bidens engaged in a pattern of corruption, influence peddling, and possibly bribery. These charges against Hunter Biden and sweetheart plea deal have no impact on the Oversight Committee’s investigation. We will not rest until the full extent of President Biden’s involvement in the family’s schemes are revealed.”
Fox News’ Brooke Singman and David Spunt contributed to this report.