Judge refuses to toss out Hunter Biden's federal gun case

• U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika, appointed by former President Trump, denied the efforts on Friday.
• Noreika ultimately rejected the defense's argument that the "prosecution is vindictive."

Catch up quick: The indictment was brought last September by special counsel David Weiss.

• Biden was accused of falsifying a federal firearms form and illegal possession of a firearm while using a narcotic.

Between the lines: Noreika also acknowledged the defense's suggestions that the Trump administration had involvement in bringing the case against him to take aim at him or his father.

• "The problem with this argument is that the charging decision at issue was made during this administration — by Special Counsel Weiss — at a time when the head of the Executive Branch prosecuting Defendant is Defendant's father," Noreika wrote.
• "Defendant's claim is effectively that his own father targeted him for being his son, a claim that is nonsensical under the facts here."

Zoom out: He also faces federal tax charges in California and is due to stand trial on June 20.

• The president's son has pleaded not guilty in both cases.

Go deeper: Hunter Biden indicted on federal gun charges

Editor's note: This is a breaking story and will be updated.