Attorney General Merrick Garland has appointed a special counsel to deepen the investigation into Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden. David Weiss, the United States attorney in Delaware, will take on the role of special counsel in the probe, which focuses on the financial and business dealings of Hunter Biden. The announcement comes as plea deal talks in Hunter Biden’s case have hit an impasse.
Garland highlighted the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the matter in a statement at the Department of Justice. He said that Weiss had requested to be appointed as special counsel based on the judgment that his investigation had reached a stage where it should continue in that capacity. After considering the request and the exceptional circumstances, Garland concluded that it was in the public interest to appoint Weiss to the position.
Hunter Biden’s attorney has not yet provided comment on the appointment. The decision to appoint a special counsel is significant, as it demonstrates a departure from Garland’s usual cautious approach. It also comes amidst ongoing investigations by the Justice Department into former President Donald Trump, who is President Biden’s main opponent in the upcoming 2024 election.
House Republicans have initiated their own investigation into Hunter Biden’s business dealings, although they have struggled to establish any wrongdoing on the part of Joe Biden. The sudden appointment of a special counsel follows years of investigating Hunter Biden, with the reasons behind the move not immediately clear.
The appointment of Weiss as special counsel grants him wider authority to conduct a comprehensive investigation across various areas. Weiss has been the Delaware U.S. attorney since 2017 and was retained by the Biden administration to oversee the Hunter Biden probe. He has previous experience as a prosecutor, handling both violent crimes and white-collar offenses.
Garland emphasized that he expects Weiss to work expeditiously, carrying out an impartial and urgent investigation. The special counsel will have access to all necessary resources to thoroughly probe the matter.
The plea deal in Hunter Biden’s case, which involved charges of tax evasion and a gun-related offense, collapsed after concerns were raised by U.S. District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika. Republican Representative James Comer, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, has been leading a congressional investigation into Hunter Biden’s financial ties. Comer has obtained numerous financial records through subpoenas to the Treasury Department and financial institutions.
The appointment of a special counsel adds a new dimension to the ongoing investigations surrounding Hunter Biden and the potential implications they may have on the 2024 presidential race. With special counsels also appointed to investigate Trump’s handling of classified records and his role in the Capitol attack, legal proceedings are shaping the upcoming election in an unprecedented way. As the investigations continue, it remains to be seen what further developments will arise and what impact they will have on the political landscape.
