Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, is facing a crucial court appearance, where he is expected to plead guilty in a plea agreement concerning tax and gun charges. 

The plea deal will likely result in no jail time for the president's son. And leading to criticism from Republicans that this is a "sweetheart deal." U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika will consider whether to accept the plea deal. And judges usually accept plea bargains.

Republicans, increasingly focused on investigations involving President Biden and his family, have raised concerns about the plea agreement's fairness. 

The investigation in Congress has used incriminating information from Hunter’s laptop, redacted FBI forms, and Biden’s bank and tax records. Much of what has been revealed is allegedly evidence of a myriad of uncharged crimes.

The GOP chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Jason Smith of Missouri, took an unusual step by filing court documents urging the judge to consider testimony from IRS whistleblowers. 

These whistleblowers allege that the Justice Department interfered with the Biden investigation and that evidence of additional crimes exists yet remains unaddressed.

Accusations from IRS whistleblowers have added further complexity to the case, alleging “slow-walking” of the case and potential undisclosed crimes. 

Plea Agreement or “Sweetheart deal”?

Hunter Biden is anticipated to enter a plea of guilty to misdemeanor tax charges. The plea agreement is reportedly designed to enable him to avoid prosecution on a gun charge, provided he meets certain conditions. 

This arrangement has garnered lots of attention. And is taking place during a very public investigation of Hunter’s widespread business dealings with foreign governments.

Critics are questioning the leniency of the deal.

The Prosecutor's Response

Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss denied any deliberate delay in the investigation, refuting allegations of "slow walking." He claims to have had total control of the probe and had not sought special counsel status.

The lead prosecutor in Hunter Biden's case also denied the existence of a sweetheart deal, pushing back against criticism surrounding the plea agreement.