Special counsel David Weiss told members of Congress this week that politics “played no role” in the prosecution of President Joe Biden’s son Hunter. The statements came after the initial plea deal that would have likely kept the younger Biden out of jail fell apart and Weiss’ office charged the president’s son with a number of federal felony charges.
Weiss had been tasked to investigate the president’s son in his role as U.S. Attorney. However, additional information supplied by IRS whistleblowers indicated the several Department of Justice (DOJ) officials may have interfered with his probe.
The special counsel told members of the House Judiciary Committee that he was not “blocked” by other members of the DOJ. Weiss’ comments came after U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland also denied that there was any untoward action in the investigation.
Garland named Weiss as special counsel in the case.
The special counsel further said that “political considerations played no part” in his actions.
Special counsel David Weiss said in an interview with House lawmakers Tuesday that he had full authority over his investigation of Hunter Biden and then refused to answer other questions about the ongoing probe. https://t.co/cR35vNcyeL
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) November 7, 2023
During the testimony, Weiss said that he hoped to address “misunderstandings about the scope” of the original probe. He was reportedly told by the attorney general that he had the full authority to charge Hunter Biden for alleged tax and firearms violations.
His comments came amid an ongoing prosecution which may include further charges against the president’s son, adding that he was “limited as to what I can say at this point.” However, Weiss asserted that he would submit a written report with more information at the conclusion of his investigation.
Weiss said that he was “and have been, the decision-maker on this case, I do not, however, make these decisions in a vacuum. I am bound by federal law, the principles of federal prosecution and DOJ guidelines.”
The IRS whistleblowers stated that two other U.S. Attorneys declined to assist Weiss in his investigation into the younger Biden.
The special counsel said that the legal processes “did not interfere with my decision-making authority” and that he was not “blocked or otherwise prevented from pursuing charges or taking the steps necessary in the investigation by other United States attorneys, the Tax Division or anyone else at the Department of Justice.”
