AG Merrick Garland Names Special Prosecutor to Investigate Hunter Biden Case

Weeks after Hunter Biden’s plea deal on tax and gun charges fell apart in court, Attorney General Merrick Garland has appointed Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss as a special counsel to investigate the case. Weiss has been overseeing an inquiry into possible tax and financial crimes involving Hunter Biden since 2018. The appointment comes amidst congressional investigations into President Biden’s alleged involvement in his family’s foreign business deals and alleged influence peddling and bribery. The move is seen as a response to the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the case. Just weeks before the appointment, Weiss was expected to testify before the House Judiciary Committee about the failed plea deal. The special counsel status raises the possibility of further criminal charges against Hunter Biden, including violations of the Foreign Agent Registration Act. Former President Donald Trump, a leading candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, raised concerns about the independence of the special counsel due to the request to hold the trial in California, which is seen as a more Democratic-friendly venue. The White House did not comment on the appointment. Calls for a special counsel to investigate Hunter Biden intensified after two IRS investigators accused the Biden administration of interfering with the inquiry. Weiss will have greater autonomy and the authority to bring criminal charges in any jurisdiction. He will be required to publicly release a report of his findings once the investigation is complete.