President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, has requested the dismissal of tax and gun cases against him, drawing parallels to a recent ruling in Florida that dismissed a prosecution against former President Donald Trump. The cases against Hunter Biden, pending in federal courts in Delaware and California, highlight the potential impact of a judge's decision to dismiss the classified documents case against Trump, citing constitutional violations in the appointment of special counsels.
Both Hunter Biden and Trump were prosecuted by special counsels appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland. The dismissal of the Trump case raised questions about the appointment process of special counsels, with Hunter Biden's legal team arguing for the dismissal of his tax prosecution in Los Angeles and a firearm case in Delaware.
The legal argument centers on the appointment of special counsels, with Hunter Biden's lawyers contending that the appointments of the special counsels in both the Trump and Biden cases were invalid due to violations of the Appointments Clause. They referenced a recent opinion by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas that questioned the propriety of such appointments.
The cases against Hunter Biden involve a tax prosecution in Los Angeles and a firearm case in Delaware, where he was convicted of three felony charges in June. The firearm case stemmed from his false statements about drug use on a federal form to purchase a firearm. Hunter Biden faces a potential prison sentence of up to 25 years in the gun case, although as a first-time offender, the actual sentence may be less severe.
The tax case against Hunter Biden relates to approximately $1.4 million in unpaid taxes over four years, which have since been paid. The legal challenges facing Hunter Biden have brought attention to his past struggles with addiction and personal difficulties following the death of his brother, Beau.
The legal landscape surrounding the appointment of special counsels and the implications for ongoing prosecutions underscore the complexities of high-profile cases involving public figures. The outcome of Hunter Biden's legal challenges remains uncertain as the cases proceed through the judicial system.
