Hunter Biden’s legal battles continue, even after his recent presidential pardon. The pardon, issued by President Joe Biden, covered an 11-year period starting in 2014, absolving Hunter Biden of the possibility of incarceration following his guilty plea on tax-related charges and his conviction on gun possession crimes. While those cases have been dismissed, new and ongoing legal issues persist.
Lawsuit Against Garrett Ziegler and Marco Polo
Hunter Biden is scheduled to face Garrett Ziegler and his nonprofit, Marco Polo, in court on September 9, 2025. Ziegler’s organization published a 644-page report, based on data from Hunter Biden’s abandoned laptop, detailing his personal life and overseas business dealings. While Marco Polo asserts the data came from the laptop Hunter Biden left at a repair shop in 2019, Biden’s lawsuit claims Ziegler hacked and tampered with the files. He described Ziegler as a “zealot” who has conducted an obsessive campaign against his family. The trial will determine if Hunter Biden is entitled to damages.
Lawsuit Against the IRS
Hunter Biden has also sued the IRS for damages, accusing the agency of allowing employees Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler to improperly disclose his confidential tax information. Shapley and Ziegler, whistleblowers involved in Hunter Biden’s tax investigation, alleged the Department of Justice showed favoritism toward him. Hunter Biden argues they bypassed whistleblower protocols and publicly revealed protected tax return data in media interviews and congressional testimony.
Although the IRS agents’ request to intervene in the lawsuit was initially denied, they are appealing the decision. Negotiations in the case are expected to occupy much of early 2025.
Congressional Investigations and Subpoenas
Republican-led congressional committees investigating the Biden family previously referred Hunter Biden to the DOJ for criminal prosecution, claiming he lied to Congress about his business dealings. Though the House investigation appears to be wrapping up, Senate Republicans may pursue further action. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) has suggested that the pardon now limits Hunter Biden’s ability to invoke his Fifth Amendment rights, making him a potential target for subpoenas in 2025.
Potential Future Investigations
With Trump-nominated attorney general Pam Bondi poised to lead the DOJ, further inquiries into the Biden family could arise. Despite his broad federal pardon, Hunter Biden’s legal team may argue he retains Fifth Amendment protections in matters involving state-level offenses. However, experts like former U.S. Attorney John Fishwick believe Hunter Biden could be compelled to testify in such investigations.
Fishwick notes, “Whether Hunter Biden still has a Fifth Amendment right not to answer questions after such a broad pardon is uncharted territory. His team may claim he could incriminate himself on state crimes, but given the pardon’s scope, a judge may compel him to testify.”
Special Counsel Report
Special counsel David Weiss, who led the federal prosecution of Hunter Biden, is expected to release a comprehensive final report detailing his findings and explaining the DOJ’s charging decisions. While redacted, such reports often contain significant revelations.
“Weiss will have the last word on Hunter Biden,” Fishwick said. “His report is likely to be thorough, potentially exploring additional charges that could have been brought.”
Hunter Biden’s legal challenges are far from over, ensuring continued scrutiny and potential ramifications in the years to come.
