Tucker Carlson has slammed the Justice Department over Hunter Biden’s plea deal, describing it as “a lifetime of sins that will be washed away in an instant.”
President Joe Biden’s son has reached a settlement with prosecutors that would see him plead guilty to tax crimes and be cleared of a firearms misuse charge – and that he would likely avoid jail time.
He has been under investigation for five years on tax and financial charges as well as documents relating to the purchase of a handgun, which he has certified as not having abused drugs.
But former Fox News anchor Carlson has since slammed the consent form, claiming the Justice Department “baptized” Hunter, 53.
He slammed the decision on Tuesday on his new show on Twitter, claiming he “pled guilty to next to nothing.”
Tucker Carlson has slammed the Justice Department over Hunter Biden’s plea deal, describing it as “lifelong sins that will be washed away in an instant.”
Hunter Biden has reached a settlement with prosecutors that will see him plead guilty to tax crimes and waive gun possession charges, but likely avoid jail time
US Attorney David Weiss (pictured) said Hunter Biden agreed to enter into a “distraction agreement” under which defendants can admit the facts without making a formal admission of guilt
“Donald Trump had an idea. “They’re going to hit Hunter with something small to make their attack on me look fair,” Trump wrote about two weeks ago,” Carlson said.
“This morning, Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to next to nothing.” He pleaded guilty to two counts of tax evasion and then launched a red herring on a federal firearms charge.
‘That’s it. As for the Merrick Garland Department of Justice, Hunter Biden is dead.”
He added, “There was no pre-dawn raid conducted simultaneously live on CNN, there was no offender’s walk, no handcuffs, no press conference.”
“Most importantly, there was no crime. Hunter Biden, who violated federal gun laws, is still allowed to carry a gun. It’s like nothing ever happened.
“In fact, the Justice Department just baptized Hunter Biden.” A life of sin was washed away in an instant. It was a worldly miracle.’
Hunter contradicted claims that he did not abuse drugs in his own autobiography, in which he detailed a crack cocaine addiction that led to a stint in rehab.
His agreement with prosecutors has yet to be approved by a federal judge and comes at a time when the Justice Department is under scrutiny for its handling of high-profile investigations into President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.
Sources said NBC prosecutors would recommend a suspended sentence – which would spare the president’s son jail time but could land him in trouble if he breaks the terms. Both of the tax offenses to which he will plead guilty are misdemeanor charges.
The Washington Post reported that prosecutors would recommend a two-year suspended sentence. Other probation conditions that the prosecutor would recommend are not immediately available and can be changed by the court.
US Attorney for Delaware David Weiss, a holdover from the Trump administration, has overseen the politically sensitive investigation.
A document Weiss filed with the court on Tuesday said the defendant’s criminal complaints allege tax offenses — “namely, two counts of willful non-payment of federal income tax” and “one count of possession of a firearm by a person who did so.” has”. an illegal user of or dependence on a controlled substance.’
Regarding the firearms charge, Hunter “agreed to enter into a pretrial diversion agreement,” Weiss said.
If the matter is viewed as a diversion case, Hunter would technically not have to plead guilty. Such cases are reserved for individuals who have clean records and are charged with nonviolent charges and who can meet a number of criteria. They are designed to reduce relapse and are often used in people struggling with substance abuse problems.
Hunter Biden has been under investigation for five years on tax and financial charges as well as paperwork related to the purchase of a handgun, for which he certified that he had not abused drugs
The gun charge dates back to a time when Hunter was dating Hallie Biden, his late brother Beau’s widow
After years of investigation into the president’s son, US Attorney David Weiss has asked a judge to schedule a hearing for Hunter Biden on two tax offenses and a gun possession charge
The letter said prosecutors and Hunter’s attorney, Christopher Clark, are jointly requesting a court hearing on the firearms swap and a tax charge hearing.
Clark said in a statement, “With the announcement of two agreements between my client, Hunter Biden, and the U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, I believe the five-year investigation into Hunter has ended.”
“Hunter will accept responsibility for two counts of misdemeanor failure to file tax payments under a defense agreement when due.” The government will also pursue a firearms indictment, which is subject to a pre-trial diversion agreement and is not part of the defense agreement.
“I know Hunter believes it’s important to take responsibility for these mistakes that he made during a time of turmoil and addiction in his life.” “He looks forward to continuing his recovery and moving forward.” , he said.
The two tax offenses each carried a maximum sentence of 12 months in prison, but he faced up to 10 years in prison for the weapons offence
If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 12 months for each tax charge and 10 years for the firearms charge.
Hunter’s attorney, Clark, said it was the end of the five-year investigation and told MSNBC, “As far as I know, we’re done” when asked about the status of any other Hunter investigation related to his business practices, lobby registrations, or other matters became .
He repeatedly vouched for the fairness of prosecutors in handling the investigation, which also led him to drop firearms charges without an admission of guilt being required. He said he would not agree to a deal if further charges were pending.
This came despite US Attorney Weiss saying the government’s investigation into Hunter Biden was “ongoing.”
Weiss added the line about the status of a statement on a negotiated settlement with the president’s son, amid Republican fury over what an influential Republican investigating the Bidens called a “sweetheart” deal.
He did so while also confirming that Biden would plead guilty to two tax offenses related to undeclared income totaling $1.5 million. At the same time, he cleared a firearms charge dating back to October 2018 when he was addicted to drugs, including crack cocaine.
According to prosecutors, the unpaid amount totaled $200,000 over the two years.
“As far as I know, we’re done,” Hunter Biden attorney Chris Clark told MSNBC Tuesday, as U.S. Attorneys announced the president’s son would plead guilty to two tax felonies
The plea deal allows Hunter Biden to move past the long-running federal investigation, though Republicans in the House have criticized the agreement and are expected to continue their own investigations into alleged corruption
Clark pleaded for understanding, saying his client is “happy to move on with his life and recovery.” He acknowledged that Hunter did not “pay the taxes owed on time.”
“I understand he’s the son of the President of the United States, but we all have family members who struggle with addiction and other issues.” And I know it’s hard to empathize with that. But a lot of people don’t show empathy. This is not a legal issue. “It’s just that you wish the world was different,” he said.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy compared Hunter’s case to that of former President Donald Trump, who faces 37 counts of willful misuse of national security information and conspiracy to obstruct justice following the discovery of boxes of classified materials at Mar-a-Lago.
McCarthy said there is a “two tier” justice system.
“If you’re the main opponent of the president, the DOJ is trying to literally put you in jail,” McCarthy said. “If you’re the president’s son, you’re getting a sweetheart deal.”