During his first court appearance on Wednesday morning, Hunter Biden’s anticipated plea deal unraveled as he pleaded “not guilty” to two misdemeanor tax counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax. Federal prosecutors confirmed that President Biden’s son remains under federal investigation, adding to the intrigue surrounding the case.

Initially, Hunter Biden was expected to accept the plea deal to avoid a felony gun charge and potential jail time. However, the proceedings took an unexpected turn when the defense attorney, Chris Clark, contested a crucial aspect of the deal. As a result, the agreement broke down, leading to further negotiations between both parties.

The presiding judge, Judge Noreika, expressed concerns about the constitutionality of the diversion deal related to the felony gun charge. She highlighted a key issue: if Hunter breached the deal, the judge would need to make a finding of fact before the government could bring charges. Furthermore, Judge Noreika saw this as going beyond her jurisdiction, suggesting that the entire plea deal might be unconstitutional, which would void any immunity Hunter Biden believed he would receive.

Apologizing to Hunter Biden, Judge Noreika sought additional information before making a decision. The court requested briefings from both sides, but no firm date was set, according to reports from Fox News.

During the hearing, Judge Noreika inquired about Hunter Biden’s sobriety and questioned his business dealings, particularly the money he and potentially his father, President Joe Biden, received from foreign business partners, including Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma Holdings and Chinese energy firm CEFC.

As Hunter Biden entered his not guilty plea, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed the matter at the daily briefing, reiterating that Hunter Biden’s case was a personal matter and highlighting that it was handled independently by the Justice Department under the leadership of a prosecutor appointed by former President Donald J Trump.

However, the implications of Hunter Biden’s legal entanglement have raised concerns about potential national security threats. With the president’s son still under federal investigation, questions arise about the possible risks this situation poses to America’s image and standing on the global stage.

Amidst the unfolding courtroom drama, a cascade of revelations emerged from IRS whistleblowers, Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, shedding light on alleged misconduct within the Department of Justice during the extensive investigation into Hunter Biden. House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith stepped into the fray, submitting an amicus brief imploring the court to give serious weight to this critical testimony before approving the proposed plea deal.

The chairman’s grave concerns about possible political interference struck at the heart of the propriety of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s investigation, casting a somber shadow over the proceedings, and leaving the nation pondering the potential implications on national security and the integrity of the justice system.