EVEN DADDY CAN'T FIX THIS:  Hunter Biden went to court today, and he didn't win the "get out of jail free" card that he'd been expecting.
From Fox: 

Hunter Biden's plea deal fell apart during his first court appearance Wednesday morning and he pleaded "not guilty" as federal prosecutors confirmed the president's son is still under federal investigation. 

Hunter Biden was expected to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax, as part of plea deal to avoid jail time on a felony gun charge.
But Judge Maryellen Noreika did not accept the plea agreement, questioning the constitutionality — specifically the diversion clause and the immunity Hunter Biden would receive.

Hunter Biden was also expected to enter into a pretrial diversion agreement regarding a separate felony charge of possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.

The judge pressed federal prosecutors on the investigation and questioned whether there was the possibility for future charges, and asked prosecutors if Hunter Biden was currently under active investigation. Prosecutors said he was, but would not answer specifically what the president's son is under investigation for.  

Prosecutors on Wednesday, though, said Hunter Biden pleading guilty to the two misdemeanor tax offenses would not immunize him from future charges. 

COMMENT:  I'm not a lawyer, but I listened to plenty of them today as part of the TV coverage.  Bottom line, Hunter's case continues, with the strong possibility that his father's name will be dragged into it.  That, of course, is the most intriguing angle. 

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy is already talking about a possible impeachment inquiry regarding the president, McCarthy's comments driven by information and charges brought forward
by IRS whistleblowers and other witnesses alarmed by what they consider to be improper business activities by Hunter that also involved his father. Some of those activities were conducted with hostile foreign nations, like China.  There are also charges, so far reported but not proved, that the Bidens solicited bribes.  We note that bribery is specifically mentioned in the Constitution as an impeachable offense.

We should be cautious. The investigation of Hunter Biden's activities is being conducted by Joe Biden's Department of Justice.  Don't expect much zeal there.  The real investigative burden will be carried by the Republican majority in the House. 

This is, potentially, a major scandal, involving possible kickbacks and embarrassing transfers of money.  But much of the mainstream media will try to minimize the charges.  Some outlets, like The New York Times, have barely covered the Bidens' curious activities up to this point. 

Explosive testimony is expected on the Hill starting Monday.  This could be the beginning of a beautiful crisis.

July 26,  2023