Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, is scheduled to appear in a California federal courtroom today on tax-related charges. The appearance comes after a plea deal collapsed last July due to a disagreement between the prosecution and Biden about the terms of the deal.
Prosecutors allege that over a period of four years, Hunter Biden failed to pay $1.4 million in federal taxes, and the amount could potentially be higher. He faces nine counts, including failure to file and pay taxes, evasion of assessment, and filing a false tax return. If convicted, he could be sentenced to a maximum of 17 years in prison.
In addition to the tax charges, two House committees have approved a contempt resolution against Hunter Biden for not complying with a subpoena to testify in a closed-door deposition as part of an impeachment inquiry into his father. The resolution was passed just hours after Hunter unexpectedly appeared in the audience at the hearing where Republicans initiated the contempt proceedings.
During the heated debate over the resolution, one Democrat called out what he saw as GOP hypocrisy, pointing out that several Republican lawmakers had also refused to comply with congressional subpoenas. He demanded that the names of these lawmakers be added to the record. It is worth noting that the issue of non-compliance with congressional subpoenas has been a contentious issue on both sides of the aisle.
The questioning also raised concerns about the double standard in sanctioning non-compliant individuals, particularly when it comes to members of Congress. The Democrat argued that Congress itself has played a role in determining which non-compliance cases are considered punishable.
While there are concerns regarding the lack of compliance with subpoenas, it is important to note that there is no evidence implicating President Biden in any wrongdoing. Democrats and some Republicans have emphasized the importance of separating the legal issues surrounding Hunter Biden from his father's presidency.
As for the deposition, some Democrats have suggested that it should proceed in a public setting to avoid any distortion or selective disclosures. However, Hunter Biden's lawyers have expressed a preference for a closed-door testimony due to concerns about potential problems with public disclosure.
The outcome of the contempt resolution against Hunter Biden is uncertain, as some lawmakers on both sides of the aisle may view it as a distraction from more pressing matters. The focus of constituents and legislators is expected to remain on important policy issues and the ongoing work of Congress.
