CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – Two things didn’t make sense to federal judge Judge Maryellen Noreika, who was overseeing Hunter Biden’s plea bargain last week. First, the text of the written agreement said that the president’s son would have ‘immunity in perpetuity.” As in, a get out of jail free card. Second Judge Noreika asked prosecutors if there were still open investigations involving the younger Biden. They answered ‘yes,’ the details of which couldn’t be discussed in open court.
For the judge, it was a bridge too far to give the crackpipe-in-the-rental-car, deadbeat-father, nose-art creator, Ukrainian and Chinese-corporate-board member a get out of jail free card. Especially if there are ongoing investigations, the results of which aren’t even known yet. That type of language is never part of a plea agreement. And Judge Noreika did not want her signature on such an agreement.
That special language benefits both Hunter and Joe Biden. Immunity in perpetuity means the son will never be asked about money received from foreign companies. And with that, he’ll never have to answer under oath about the 10-percent set aside for the Big Guy – his father. A plea deal that buttoned up that avenue of investigation would leave that issue only to Congress, which is seen as less credible and more partisan than a courtroom.
Of course, we all know how the Hunter Biden story ends. He’ll be pardoned by his father, the president. That will end the legal part of this story. But the politics would be a disaster. A president whose approval rating is already in the low 40s becomes a longshot for reelection if the voters conclude he’s protecting himself through his pardon powers.
My readers are intelligent. They know that most things in Washington are connected. So, of course, now is the perfect time to announce new indictments against Joe Biden’s likely opponent.
Chris Conley
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