Hunter Biden is being treated differently

The gun charges against Hunter Biden appear to be the first of their kind in Delaware, and recent court rulings have undermined the constitutionality of the statutes at issue. The tax charges in California are similarly flawed. Don’t take my word for it. Former attorney general Eric Holder raised questions about political pressure driving the charges. Tax law experts have called criminal charges in these cases rare; they are generally resolved civilly.

The editorial ignored that after five years of a thorough investigation, the U.S. attorney believed the correct resolution was two misdemeanors, which even then treated Mr. Biden differently from millions of Americans who don’t file their taxes on time. The only intervening event between the June agreement and the December indictment was unprecedented political pressure by former president Donald Trump and interference by members of Congress, including dragging the prosecutor to an oversight interview.

Finally, the editorial’s claim that Mr. Biden would not have earned money “if not for his last name,” and that somehow this justifies criminal charges potentially carrying more than 20 years in prison collectively, was astounding in its judgment of him and ignorance of his experience as a lawyer and businessman.

Instead of providing a fact-based opinion, the editorial revealed a bias against Mr. Biden.

Abbe David Lowell, Washington

The writer is Hunter Biden’s lawyer.

The Dec. 13 editorial regarding Hunter Biden correctly noted that he would have had fewer business opportunities if he were not a Biden. It indeed seems inappropriate for relatives of presidents to benefit from their relationship. Unfortunately, they often do. For example, the political careers of George W. Bush and Jeb Bush certainly benefited from their father, George H.W. Bush, having held numerous federal positions, including the presidency. George H.W. Bush certainly benefited from his father, Prescott Bush, having been prominent in the Republican Party and serving in the U.S. Senate. Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner magically received, respectively, expedited Chinese trademarks and $2 billion in Saudi funding, and Donald Trump Jr. has catapulted into political prominence. Surely, these outcomes were aided by Donald Trump’s presidency.

Whether a relative of a president benefits in politics or in business, both warrant attention. To benefit in business seems more unsavory. But it is more harmful to the republic to have political dynasties and underqualified insiders than to have an occasional private citizen enjoy undeserved business connections (as unpalatable as that is).

I’m not defending Mr. Biden’s activities, but they should be considered in perspective. Furthermore, he has abundantly admitted fault and is trying to make amends. How often do we see that?

Peter L. Collins, Silver Spring