Members of the Alabama congressional delegation responded to Hunter Biden’s plea deal on Tuesday, through which he pleaded guilty to failing to pay income taxes in 2017 and 2018 and agreed to enter into a pretrial diversion agreement for a separate firearm and drug charge.

Biden’s charges are a result of a five-year investigation. According to reports, Biden owed an excess of taxes in 2017 and 2018. He also possessed a firearm while unlawfully using and being addicted to a controlled substance. 

Maximum penalties for each of the tax charges total two years in prison, and the firearm charge, if convicted, could earn him as much as 10 years. 

According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), pretrial diversion programs “divert certain offenders from traditional criminal justice processing into alternative systems of supervision and services.” Completing the program can result in a reduction or even a dismissal of charges. 

Earlier this year, the same investigation into Biden’s tax affairs unveiled suspicious activity reports about funds from foreign nations, including China. He has also been investigated for money laundering and has a history of drug abuse.

“This slap-on-the-wrist for Hunter Biden continues to prove we have a two-tiered system of Justice,” said U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) about the deal. “The DOJ protects the ruling class while targeting the opposition. Mounting evidence uncovered by the House Judiciary and Oversight Committees shows Hunter Biden’s blatant corruption and possible participation in bribery. This bogus plea deal will not hinder our continued investigation on behalf of the American people.”

U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) echoed similar sentiments.

“This is clearly a slap on the wrist,” Aderholt said. “The onion that is the Biden family has many layers, and it looks like it will be up to House Republicans to peel those layers back.”

“I’m not surprised that a plea deal was struck under Biden’s Department of Justice to give Hunter Biden nothing more than a slap on the wrist for his crimes,” said U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile). “Our only hope for holding the Bidens accountable for their years of corruption and involvement in pay for play schemes is through the investigation being done by Congressman James Comer and the House Oversight Committee.”

U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) also decried Hunter Biden's "get out of jail free card" and said the House Oversight Committee would continue to investigate the Biden family.

"The Department of Justice continues to show just how politicized it has become with plea deals like the one Hunter Biden received," Palmer said. "His crimes were serious, but he was given punishment reeking of political favoritism. All of this is happening while the Biden Administration pushes gun rules to make law-abiding veterans and other innocent civilians into felons overnight, while Hunter Biden knowingly broke the law to purchase a gun. Tax evasion and the illegal purchase of a gun are felonies with penalties that would not be waived for the average American. While Hunter Biden may have been given a plea deal version of a 'Get Out of Jail Free' card, he still faces far more serious allegations. The House Committee on Oversight will continue to investigate the alleged bribery schemes using his father’s influence as Vice-President to make millions for the Biden family. Unlike the politicized Justice Department’s unserious investigation, the Oversight Committee will continue to follow the evidence and the evidence will speak for itself."

Editor's Note: This article has been corrected to show Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to not paying taxes in 2017 and 2018.

To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email will.blakely@1819news.com or find him on Twitter and Facebook.

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