Hunter Biden, who is currently facing indictments on gun charges and is at the center of Republican probes into his father's business dealings, is changing his legal tactics — and is coming out swinging.
For months, the president's son has quietly gone along with investigations and waited for exoneration, Politico reported. But, after an expected plea deal fell through earlier this year and he is facing criminal trial, that policy has been thrown out.
In the past few months, a flurry of lawsuits has challenged his prosecution as politically motivated. He's even trying to subpoena former President Donald Trump — and this is ramping up just as his father picks up his 2024 campaign.
Some White House staff are “irritated that he’s being more aggressive, because he is not clearing the tactics and the strategy,” according to sources speaking to Politico.
Also read: Hunter Biden calls GOP investigators' bluff and agrees to sit for a public hearing
Some within the White House also worry that Hunter's new strategy will bring more public attention to his legal and personal struggles.
But others think it's time Biden took the fight to his accusers — and that he's taking a leaf out of Trump's book of tactics.
"For this camp, there was something to learn from Trump’s scandal playbook: It pays to talk loud, move fast and punch hard," Politico reported.
“The American public likes to see people fight back,” Jamal Simmons, a former communications director for Vice President Kamala Harris, told Politico.
“People who fight for themselves tend to get the benefit of the doubt from the public. And I actually think that probably does help the president in the long run.”
From Politico: "Hunter Biden keeps his father aware of his legal moves, according to a person close to his legal team, and the team sends word to top White House staff before making major moves. The moves themselves are entirely up to Hunter Biden and his lawyers — and that’s as it should be, aides emphasize, because the president has vowed to stay out of his son’s legal affairs."
Read the full report over at Politico.
