• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2026 ABC News
ABC News

Hunter Biden hearing: No plea as judge refuses to 'rubber-stamp' deal

PHOTO: President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden, arrives for a court appearance, July 26, 2023, in Wilmington, Del.
47:03
Julio Cortez/AP
ABC News Live: Hunter Biden appearing in court Wednesday
By Lucien Bruggeman, Olivia Rubin
Last Updated: July 26, 2023, 10:02 PM

President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden appeared in a Delaware courthouse today to formally agree to the plea deal he negotiated last month with federal prosecutors, but the deal fell apart.

Top headlines:

  • Judge said she wouldn't 'rubber-stamp' the deal
  • Hunter Biden pleads not guilty to charges after deal falls apart
  • Judge defers plea deal
  • No plea deal amid judge's concerns
Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.

Jul 26, 2023 10:02 PM

Attorneys have 30 days to submit briefs

No date has been set for a follow-up hearing after the judge deferred a decision on the plea deal at today's hearing.

The judge gave both parties 30 days to submit briefs meant to assuage the concerns she so thoroughly expressed in court, after attorneys for both parties, toward the end of the proceeding, agreed to hash out some of the judge's concerns.

A spokesperson for Hunter Biden's legal team says they do not plan to comment on Wednesday's hearing.


Jul 26, 2023 8:08 PM

McCarthy, more lawmakers weigh in on Hunter Biden

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reacted Wednesday to Hunter Biden's plea dealing being deferred for the time being.

He reiterated his allegation that the president's son has received different treatment from prosecutors, which the Department of Justice has pushed back on.

"There shouldn't be two justice systems in America, and hopefully today that's what is being done," McCarthy said.

"So now is the window to show that we have equal justice, and that's the real question ... is it going to be fair as you treat every other American? That will be the question," McCarthy said as he left the House floor.

Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, said Wednesday that he hoped Hunter Biden will "acknowledge his responsibility for the proceeding" and that the outcome will be "fair and just."

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin and Lauren Peller


Jul 26, 2023 8:01 PM

White House comments on deferred plea deal

At the top of her briefing on Wednesday afternoon, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre commented on "the news in Delaware today," as she called it, emphasizing that "Hunter Biden is a private citizen ... this was a personal matter for him," and saying the case was handled by a prosecutor appointed by former President Trump.

"As we have said, the president, the first lady, they love their son and they support him as he continues to rebuild his life," Jean-Pierre said. "This case was handled independently, as all of you know, by the Justice Department."

-ABC News' Ben Gittleson



Jul 26, 2023 6:39 PM

Judge said she wouldn't 'rubber-stamp' the deal

Judge Noreika scrutinized nearly every facet of the plea deal before deciding to defer the agreement so the parties could reconvene at a later date.

The hearing was punctuated by multiple recesses, during which lawyers scrambled to negotiate their way out of the deal's divergent perspectives.

A visibly agitated Hunter Biden spent much of the time shifting between sitting and standing, summoning members of his legal team to discuss developments. Across the room, U.S. Attorney David Weiss appeared to share his demeanor.

Toward the end of the hearing, Noreika herself lashed out, repeatedly saying she felt as though she was being asked to "rubber-stamp" the deal.

In the end, she did not.


GMA Newsletters

Sign up for our newsletters to get GMA delivered to your inbox every morning!

Up Next in news

PHOTO: In this April 10, 2024, file photo, the logo of auto maker Jeep is shown at a Mirafiori Stellantis' factory.

Over 1 million Jeep Gladiator, Wrangler vehicles voluntarily recalled

June 10, 2026
VIDEO: NASA unveils Artemis III crew

NASA unveils Artemis III crew

June 10, 2026
PHOTO: A Navy base employee was critically injured in a shark attack Monday near a marina at Naval Support Activity Panama City in Florida, officials said.

Navy base employee critically injured in shark attack in Florida

June 10, 2026

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2026 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2026 ABC News