Maryellen Noreika: Trump-nominated judge with Democratic support to oversee Hunter Biden case

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CNN —

Federal district Judge Maryellen Noreika, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, will preside over the case brought by the Justice Department against President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden.

Bidens plea hearing is scheduled for July 26 at 10 am ET.

Noreika, a former patent attorney in Delaware, had the support of both Democratic senators from Delaware when he was nominated by Trump. Under the Senate’s so-called blue slip tradition, nominees for district court seats must have the support of home state senators to advance.

The Senate confirmed him by voice vote in August 2018.

The Justice Department announced Tuesday that Hunter Biden will plead guilty to two tax misdemeanors and struck a deal to resolve a felony gun charge.

As part of the plea agreement, the Justice Department agreed to recommend a sentence of probation for two counts of failure to pay taxes in a timely manner, according to sources. However, a judge will have the final say on any sentence.

Federal records show Noreika donated more than $15,000 to political candidates in 1999. His political spending went to both parties.

At the presidential level, he gave $1,000 to the campaign of then New York Sen. Hillary Clintons 2008 for the Democratic nomination. He later donated $2,300 to the 2008 Republican nominee, then-Arizona Sen. John McCain. He also donated to the subsequent GOP nominee, giving $2,500 to Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign.

Noreika also supported Sen. Tom Cotton, a conservative Republican from Arkansas, during his 2014 campaign, when he unseated an incumbent Democratic senator. And he donated $1,000 to Pennsylvania GOP Sen. Rick Santorum in 2005.

He also donated $1,000 in 2009 to the Senate Democrats’ campaign arm, DSCC.

This story has been updated with additional details.

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