U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika laid out some requirements for first son Hunter Biden on Wednesday if he wants to avoid jail time while an investigation surrounding him is ongoing.
Noreika instructed the president's son to look for a job actively, lay off of alcohol and drugs, not buy or possess a firearm, and submit to random drug tests in exchange for not being arrested, according to court documents. The younger Biden has a history of drug addiction and has been accused of possessing a firearm while on drugs.
HUNTER BIDEN PLEA DEAL COLLAPSES IN COURT AS JUDGE THROWS 'CURVEBALL'
If Biden can obey the conditions of his release, the gun charge against him would be dropped. But if he fails to adhere to the terms, the felony gun charge carries a sentence of up to 10 years, according to the documents.
The defense team expected Biden to plead guilty to two tax-related charges on Wednesday in exchange for dropping the felony gun charge, but a tumultuous scene unfolded in the federal court in Wilmington, Delaware. After more than three hours, Noreika delayed ruling on the agreement until she receives additional briefings from the government and the defendant's counsel.
The initial agreement began to sour when a lawyer for the Justice Department admitted the investigation into the first son was still ongoing and that he could hypothetically be charged with additional crimes. Among the hypotheticals was failing to register as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
When the Justice Department admitted that there was still an investigation being conducted, Biden's defense lawyers claimed the plea agreement was "null and void." Biden then pleaded "not guilty" to all charges.
Republicans praised Norieka's rejection of Biden's "sweetheart deal," which Republicans have claimed is too lenient, especially as former President Donald Trump faces multiple indictments.
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"District Judge Noreika did the right thing by refusing to rubberstamp Hunter Biden's sweetheart plea deal," House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) told Fox News. "But let's be clear: Hunter's sweetheart plea deal belongs in the trash."
The court is expected to reconvene in 30 days with a new agreement and to reexamine the case.