US Attorney General Merrick Garland has selected a special counsel to oversee the ongoing criminal case involving President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden. The case revolves around allegations of tax and firearms offenses. David Weiss, who previously served as the US Attorney for the District of Delaware, has been appointed to lead the case as a special counsel.
Garland stressed the importance of appointing a special counsel to ensure that the prosecutors, agents, and analysts working on the case can move forward solely based on the facts and the law. He expressed confidence in Weiss’s ability to fulfill his duties independently and impartially.
Weiss has been involved in investigations related to Hunter Biden’s case since 2019 and confirmed his independence in a letter to Congress. However, he determined that appointing a special counsel was necessary at this stage to make further progress in the case.
Hunter Biden is facing allegations of not paying approximately $100,000 in income taxes for 2018 and 2019, as well as multiple firearms charges related to a 2018 incident. The Department of Justice (DOJ) also alleges that he was in possession of a controlled substance at the time of the firearms possession. Initially, a plea deal and diversion agreement were reached, but a federal judge deemed the diversion agreement impermissible, leading Hunter Biden to plead not guilty to all charges. The House of Representatives has been conducting its own investigation into the matter.
Special counsels are appointed in cases where there may be conflicts of interest within the DOJ or high-level leadership. They operate with financial independence, separate budgets, and independent hiring power to ensure an impartial and thorough investigation. This decision by the DOJ aligns with past instances of special counsels being appointed for prominent cases such as those involving former President Donald Trump, Watergate, and the Iran-Contra scandal.