In a significant development in the ongoing Hunter Biden investigation, US Attorney General Merrick Garland announced on Friday that Delaware US Attorney David Weiss would be appointed as special counsel. This decision has raised concerns among some Republicans that the Justice Department may be attempting to obscure the truth regarding allegations of influence-peddling within the first family.
Garland’s announcement stated that Weiss had requested special counsel authority on Tuesday. The attorney general accepted, citing “the extraordinary circumstances relating to this matter.” This move comes after 10 months and four days since Weiss allegedly informed officials from the FBI and IRS that he did not possess the necessary authority to charge Hunter Biden outside of Delaware.
Simultaneously, a legal filing in Wilmington US District Court revealed a lack of progress in negotiations between prosecutors and Hunter Biden’s legal team. The talks, which involved a possible guilty plea to federal tax misdemeanors and a felony weapons charge, were described as being “at an impasse.” Assistant US Attorney Leo Wise wrote in the document that “the Government now believes that the case will not resolve short of a trial.”
The appointment of Weiss as special counsel grants him extensive powers, including the ability to issue indictments, dispatch subpoenas, and acquire search warrants. Special counsels also have the authority to call upon attorneys from within and outside the Department of Justice, depending on the needs of the investigation.
However, critics of Weiss’ nomination have pointed out that Justice Department rules state that a special counsel should be chosen from “outside the United States Government,” making Weiss potentially ineligible for the position. It remains to be seen how this inconsistency will be addressed.
Following Garland’s statement, he did not take any questions from the media, including a query about why Weiss had been promoted to the role of special counsel despite Garland’s previous claim that Weiss had “ultimate authority” to prosecute in congressional testimony earlier this year. The lack of response has further fueled speculation and debate surrounding the case and its handling by the Justice Department.
This announcement and the appointment of Weiss as special counsel have raised concerns among some Republicans, who worry that the Justice Department may be trying to hide or downplay allegations of influence-peddling within the first family. They argue that the decision to appoint Weiss, who previously expressed a lack of authority to charge Hunter Biden, raises doubts about the transparency and integrity of the investigation.
Overall, this development in the Hunter Biden investigation has caught the attention of both critics and supporters alike. The appointment of David Weiss as special counsel raises important questions about the handling of the case and the potential impact on the ongoing investigation. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen how Weiss will proceed and what new developments will come to light.
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