Hunter Biden Says He Is Under Federal Investigation For ‘Tax Affairs’

Topline

President-elect Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden said in a statement Wednesday that he is under investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Delaware for his “tax affairs.”

Key Facts

Key Background

The FBI subpoenaed and took possession of a laptop owned by Hunter Biden and left at a Wilmington, Del., repair shop in 2019. The owner of the repair shop, John Paul Mac Isaac, told the New York Times he met with FBI agents and informed them of the existence of the laptop due to the “alarming” and “embarrassing” content he said it contained.

Tangent

Trump focused much of his attention in the last months of the campaign on Biden’s family, and Hunter Biden in particular, despite criticism from some Republicans – including staunch Trump-ally Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) – who argued the issue was a dud with voters. Trump even went as far as to label the Biden family an “organized crime family” and call to “lock up the Bidens.”

What To Watch For

Biden was reticent to weigh in on or even acknowledge allegations about his son during the campaign, at times lashing out at reporters who asked about them. That the transition put out a statement in place of one from Biden himself signals that approach will likely continue as he continues to put together his administration and transition into government.