The Hunter Biden story is far from over

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The legal cloud hanging over Hunter Biden, the president's son, may be lifting, but the political cloud resulting from his awkward business arrangements and frequently troubled life are not going anywhere.

Biden has agreed to plead guilty to two tax misdemeanors after years of "willful failure" to pay federal income tax. He is also working with prosecutors to avoid trial for violation of federal law after his purchase of a handgun at a time when he was addicted to drugs. The firearm was later thrown into a dumpster by his then-girlfriend, who is also his brother's widow.

"It is my understanding that the five-year investigation into Hunter is resolved," his lawyer Christopher Clark said in a statement after the filing of court documents related to the agreements.

He argued the president's son has turned a page in his life.

"I know Hunter believes it is important to take responsibility for these mistakes he made during a period of turmoil and addiction in his life. He looks forward to continuing his recovery and moving forward," Clark said.

But it's not entirely clear that the US attorney's office sees things with the same level of closure; its statement refers to the case as "ongoing," perhaps in part because a judge has not signed off and perhaps because there are other matters we don't know about.