Hunter Biden's attorney, who negotiated a plea agreement for him in the Justice Department's five-year investigation into tax and gun offences, has stepped down. As per a New York Times report, the attorney has taken the step with the intention to testify as a witness on behalf of President Joe Biden's son.

Christopher J. Clark, announced his decision to step down early Tuesday. This development marks a significant turn in the ongoing negotiations between the Justice Department and Hunter Biden, which have transformed into a contentious legal battle.

<h2>Holding the Justice Department accountable</h2>

The Justice Department recently stated that a substantial part of the plea agreement is no longer valid. It also hinted at the possibility of indicting Hunter Biden.&nbsp;

In response, Christopher J. Clark is asserting that his testimony is crucial to prove that the department is attempting to back down from a legally binding agreement that was designed to put an end to the federal investigation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hunter-biden-could-face-criminal-trial-newly-named-us-special-counsel-says-624757">Hunter Biden could face criminal trial, newly named US special counsel says</a>

New legal representation for Hunter Biden has&nbsp;also indicated that Clark's testimony is essential to the negotiation.

"Based on recent developments, it appears that the negotiation and drafting of the plea agreement and diversion agreement will be contested, and Mr Clark is a percipient witness to those issues," said one lawyer in a motion filed on Tuesday.&nbsp;Among his new team is Abbe Lowell, a seasoned lawyer in Washington with a diverse clientele.

<h2>Who is Christopher J. Clark?</h2>

Clark has represented Hunter Biden for several years, particularly during investigations led by David C. Weiss, a US attorney appointed by then President Trump to look into his life.&nbsp;

The investigations delved into various aspects of Hunter Biden's life, including finances, foreign dealings, and drug use.&nbsp;

Earlier this year, Clark engaged in extensive and intricate negotiations with Weiss's office to forge a deal that was intended to bring an end to the investigation and grant Biden immunity from future prosecution.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-what-is-special-counsel-in-us-and-what-role-do-they-play-625449">Explained | What is special counsel in US and what role do they play?</a>

Under this deal, Biden had agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanour tax charges arising from his consulting work for overseas companies in China and Ukraine, which, as per the NY Times, were conducted during a period marked by his struggle with drug abuse.&nbsp;

Central to the agreement was his enrolment in a two-year diversion program designed for non-violent firearms offenders, coupled with broad immunity from potential future prosecution linked to his activities during that time.

However, at a hearing held late last month, meant to finalise the deal, a judge drew attention to the agreement's complexity and suggested that both parties were attempting to get her to "rubber stamp" an agreement she believed to be legally and constitutionally problematic.&nbsp;This led to disagreements between the prosecution and Biden's legal team. The discord prompted Attorney General Merrick B. Garland to approve the appointment of a special counsel to&nbsp;the matter.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Hunter Biden's attorney, who negotiated a plea agreement for him in the Justice Department's five-year investigation into tax and gun offences, has stepped down.

Hunter Biden's attorney, who negotiated a plea agreement for him in the Justice Department's five-year investigation into tax and gun offences, has stepped down. As per a New York Times report, the attorney has taken the step with the intention to testify as a witness on behalf of President Joe Biden's son. Christopher J. Clark, announced his decision to step down early Tuesday. This development marks a significant turn in the ongoing negotiations between the Justice Department and Hunter Biden, which have transformed into a contentious legal battle. Holding the Justice Department accountable The Justice Department recently stated that a substantial part of the plea agreement is no longer valid. It also hinted at the possibility of indicting Hunter Biden. In response, Christopher J. Clark is asserting that his testimony is crucial to prove that the department is attempting to back down from a legally binding agreement that was designed to put an end to the federal investigation. Also read | Hunter Biden could face criminal trial, newly named US special counsel says New legal representation for Hunter Biden has also indicated that Clark's testimony is essential to the negotiation. "Based on recent developments, it appears that the negotiation and drafting of the plea agreement and diversion agreement will be contested, and Mr Clark is a percipient witness to those issues," said one lawyer in a motion filed on Tuesday. Among his new team is Abbe Lowell, a seasoned lawyer in Washington with a diverse clientele. Who is Christopher J. Clark? Clark has represented Hunter Biden for several years, particularly during investigations led by David C. Weiss, a US attorney appointed by then President Trump to look into his life. The investigations delved into various aspects of Hunter Biden's life, including finances, foreign dealings, and drug use. Earlier this year, Clark engaged in extensive and intricate negotiations with Weiss's office to forge a deal that was intended to bring an end to the investigation and grant Biden immunity from future prosecution. Also read | Explained | What is special counsel in US and what role do they play? Under this deal, Biden had agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanour tax charges arising from his consulting work for overseas companies in China and Ukraine, which, as per the NY Times, were conducted during a period marked by his struggle with drug abuse. Central to the agreement was his enrolment in a two-year diversion program designed for non-violent firearms offenders, coupled with broad immunity from potential future prosecution linked to his activities during that time. However, at a hearing held late last month, meant to finalise the deal, a judge drew attention to the agreement's complexity and suggested that both parties were attempting to get her to "rubber stamp" an agreement she believed to be legally and constitutionally problematic. This led to disagreements between the prosecution and Biden's legal team. The discord prompted Attorney General Merrick B. Garland to approve the appointment of a special counsel to the matter. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Hunter Biden's lawyer steps down, to testify as witness in DOJ investigation

Half of Americans believe US&nbsp;President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, received preferential treatment from prosecutors who reached a deal that would allow the younger Biden to plead guilty to tax charges but avoid a gun-related conviction, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found.

The two-day poll that closed on Wednesday showed Americans were divided along partisan lines in their views on the case, with 75 per cent&nbsp;of Republicans seeing preferential treatment compared with just 33 per cent&nbsp;of Democrats.

Most respondents said the case would not affect their likelihood of voting for the elder Biden next year when he is seeking re-election. 
 
WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: Hunter Biden to plead guilty to tax crimes

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US&nbsp;Attorney David Weiss, a federal prosecutor appointed by Republican former President Donald Trump, said on Tuesday that Hunter Biden, 53, has agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges of willfully failing to pay income taxes and to enter into an agreement that could avert a conviction on a gun-related charge.

Trump and his Republican allies charged that the plea agreement amounted to special treatment for Biden's son. Weiss was one of a few Trump-appointed prosecutors that Biden asked to stay on after he took office in January 2021, to avoid the appearance of tampering in politically sensitive investigations.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hunter-biden-to-plead-guilty-on-two-misdemeanor-charges-on-july-26-607213">Hunter Biden to make court apperance on July 26 to plead guilty on misdemeanor charges</a>

The younger Biden has worked as a lobbyist, lawyer, consultant to foreign companies, investment banker and artist, and has publicly detailed his struggles with substance abuse.

He will make an initial appearance in federal court in Delaware on July 26, a court filing showed on Wednesday.

According to court filings, Hunter Biden received taxable income of more than $1.5 million in 2017 and in 2018 but did not pay income tax those years despite owing in excess of $100,000.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-year-long-hunter-biden-probe-nears-decision-what-is-the-controversy-588735">EXPLAINED | Four-year-long Hunter Biden probe nears decision on pressing charges. What is the controversy?</a>

He is also charged with unlawfully owning a firearm from roughly Oct. 12 to Oct 23, 2018, when he was using and addicted to a controlled substance. For that charge, he entered a pretrial diversion agreement, an alternative to prosecution that is sometimes used to allow defendants to avoid prison time or a criminal conviction.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll surveyed 1,004 US&nbsp;adults nationwide and has a credibility interval, a measure of precision, of about 4 percentage points. 
 
&nbsp;

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Half of Americans believe US President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, received preferential treatment from prosecutors who reached a deal that would allow the younger Biden to plead guilty to tax charges but avoid a gun-related conviction, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found.

Half of Americans believe US President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, received preferential treatment from prosecutors who reached a deal that would allow the younger Biden to plead guilty to tax charges but avoid a gun-related conviction, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found. The two-day poll that closed on Wednesday showed Americans were divided along partisan lines in their views on the case, with 75 per cent of Republicans seeing preferential treatment compared with just 33 per cent of Democrats. Most respondents said the case would not affect their likelihood of voting for the elder Biden next year when he is seeking re-election. WATCH | Gravitas: Hunter Biden to plead guilty to tax crimes US Attorney David Weiss, a federal prosecutor appointed by Republican former President Donald Trump, said on Tuesday that Hunter Biden, 53, has agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges of willfully failing to pay income taxes and to enter into an agreement that could avert a conviction on a gun-related charge. Trump and his Republican allies charged that the plea agreement amounted to special treatment for Biden's son. Weiss was one of a few Trump-appointed prosecutors that Biden asked to stay on after he took office in January 2021, to avoid the appearance of tampering in politically sensitive investigations. ALSO READ | Hunter Biden to make court apperance on July 26 to plead guilty on misdemeanor charges The younger Biden has worked as a lobbyist, lawyer, consultant to foreign companies, investment banker and artist, and has publicly detailed his struggles with substance abuse. He will make an initial appearance in federal court in Delaware on July 26, a court filing showed on Wednesday. According to court filings, Hunter Biden received taxable income of more than $1.5 million in 2017 and in 2018 but did not pay income tax those years despite owing in excess of $100,000. ALSO READ | EXPLAINED | Four-year-long Hunter Biden probe nears decision on pressing charges. What is the controversy? He is also charged with unlawfully owning a firearm from roughly Oct. 12 to Oct 23, 2018, when he was using and addicted to a controlled substance. For that charge, he entered a pretrial diversion agreement, an alternative to prosecution that is sometimes used to allow defendants to avoid prison time or a criminal conviction. The Reuters/Ipsos poll surveyed 1,004 US adults nationwide and has a credibility interval, a measure of precision, of about 4 percentage points. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Half of Americans think US President Joe Biden's son received special treatment, shows poll

The chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, James Comer, has made the panel's first official request, asking for documents from the US President Joe Biden's son&nbsp;Hunter Biden and brother James Biden, over their foreign business pursuits. According to CBS News, as part of his committee's probe, Comer informed Hunter, James and their then-business managers that he wants documents and communications from the Bidens, to look for any potential involvement by the president in their deals, particularly in foreign business deals "with people connected to China's Communist Party."

He&nbsp;has accused the family of taking "significant amounts of money from foreign companies without providing any known legitimate services."

Watch |&nbsp;US: Probe into Hunter Biden laptop saga, Republican led-house panel begins public hearing

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Comer has asked the president's son and brother to submit&nbsp;any documents designated as "classified" the two may possess, and even communication between the Bidens, including the president or James's wife Sara Jones Biden.

Now as the Republicans have the House majority, they have subpoena power. He&nbsp;has given the Bidens February 22 as the&nbsp;deadline to respond before he considers issuing a 'subpoena' for documents and testimony.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beijing-slams-biden-over-extremely-irresponsible-remarks-on-xi-jinping-560250">Also read |&nbsp;Beijing slams Biden over 'extremely irresponsible' remarks on Xi Jinping</a>

In addition to the probe, Comer also said that the committee is considering writing a bill to strengthen 'federal ethics laws' around the officials and families.&nbsp;

Last week, Hunter's legal team went on the offensive, demanding a state and federal probe into the dissemination of his personal things, anticipated to be on his laptop.

In January, Comer called on the US White House to provide details of all visitors to the president's Wilmington, Delaware house since the start of his presidency term.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, James Comer, has made the panel's first official request, asking for documents from the US President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden and brother James Biden, over their foreign business pursuits.

The chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, James Comer, has made the panel's first official request, asking for documents from the US President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden and brother James Biden, over their foreign business pursuits. According to CBS News, as part of his committee's probe, Comer informed Hunter, James and their then-business managers that he wants documents and communications from the Bidens, to look for any potential involvement by the president in their deals, particularly in foreign business deals "with people connected to China's Communist Party." He has accused the family of taking "significant amounts of money from foreign companies without providing any known legitimate services." Watch | US: Probe into Hunter Biden laptop saga, Republican led-house panel begins public hearing Comer has asked the president's son and brother to submit any documents designated as "classified" the two may possess, and even communication between the Bidens, including the president or James's wife Sara Jones Biden. Now as the Republicans have the House majority, they have subpoena power. He has given the Bidens February 22 as the deadline to respond before he considers issuing a 'subpoena' for documents and testimony. Also read | Beijing slams Biden over 'extremely irresponsible' remarks on Xi Jinping In addition to the probe, Comer also said that the committee is considering writing a bill to strengthen 'federal ethics laws' around the officials and families. Last week, Hunter's legal team went on the offensive, demanding a state and federal probe into the dissemination of his personal things, anticipated to be on his laptop. In January, Comer called on the US White House to provide details of all visitors to the president's Wilmington, Delaware house since the start of his presidency term. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US: House Oversight panel head widens probe, requests for records from Hunter and James Biden

Independent writer Michael Shellenberger released part 7 of the "Twitter Files" on Monday, delving into how the FBI and intelligence community "discredited factual information about Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings." Watch this video to know more.

Biden campaign, FBI and Twitter worked together to suppress Hunter story, shows evidence