U.S. Special Counsel David Weiss stated Friday, soon after being appointed to that position, that President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden may face a criminal prosecution. This is an indication that judicial drama may have a significant impact on the 2024 presidential race.
A trial may lead to an unusual spectacle in American history: the president’s son being prosecuted as his father runs for re-election, perhaps against Republican Donald Trump, who has at least three forthcoming criminal trials of his own.
Republicans in the House of Representatives are also threatening to launch an impeachment investigation into unsubstantiated allegations that President Biden profited from the business enterprises of his 54-year-old son.
A federal court rejected a potential plea agreement when Weiss, who has been looking into Hunter Biden since 2019, brought misdemeanor criminal tax and firearms charges in June.
The two parties’ negotiations have subsequently fallen down, according to Weiss, who said this in a court document on Friday. The government now considers that a trial is necessary to conclude the matter.
Weiss was given special counsel status by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland shortly before the filing, allowing him more freedom and independence to conduct the inquiry.
In spite of owing more than $100,000 in back taxes, Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty in July to accusations of failing to pay taxes on more than $1.5 million in income in 2017 and 2018. In a another instance, where he is accused of illegally possessing a handgun while under the influence of narcotics, which is a crime, he did not enter a plea.
APPOINTEE BY TRUMP
Weiss was first chosen by Trump to fill the job of U.S. Attorney for Delaware, and he was permitted to continue serving under the Biden administration.
Weiss will have no daily oversight from the Justice Department while serving as a special counsel, allowing him to bring charges anywhere in the country. Garland is free to reject his suggestions, but he must inform Congress if he does.
Weiss said that depending on where the alleged illegal activity occurred—Washington or California—he would file separate charges against Hunter Biden.
Hunter Biden’s attorney said that he didn’t think Weiss would yield to political pressure.
Chris Clark, a lawyer for Vice President Biden, said in a statement, “Whether in Delaware, Washington, D.C., or anywhere else, we expect a fair resolution not infected by politics and we’ll do what is necessary on behalf of Mr. Biden to achieve that.”
Garland said that Weiss would write a report once his work is complete, and the Justice Department will make as much of it available to the public as they can.
“The appointment of Mr. Weiss reinforces for the American people the department’s commitment to both independence and accountability in particularly sensitive matters,” Garland said during a news conference.
Republicans have claimed that the senior Biden made money off of his son’s business activities in China and Ukraine, but they have not yet shown any proof of this. Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy said in July that the body may begin an impeachment investigation in the fall.
The White House chose not to respond. Officials for Biden have previously called Republican accusations “insane conspiracy theories” and said that Biden did not become involved in his son’s business dealings.
Hunter Biden has reportedly suffered with alcoholism and crack cocaine usage. He has worked as a lobbyist, attorney, consultant, and investment banker.
Republicans argued that Weiss lacked the authority to carry on the inquiry. How can Weiss be trusted as a Special Counsel if he negotiated the sweetheart bargain that was rejected? said McCarthy.
Weiss is the third special prosecutor that Garland has chosen to look into politically sensitive issues.
Jack Smith, one of them, has filed two separate criminal complaints against Trump, and Robert Hur is looking into whether Biden handled classified information improperly after he left his position as vice president.
Special counsels have looked into the exposure of a CIA operative and Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential race in past administrations.
Several Republican congressional committees have made Hunter Biden their top priority.
Hunter created the appearance of emphasizing his family links when he was doing business in Ukraine about ten years ago, while his father was as vice president, according to one former colleague who testified before the House Oversight Committee. Devon Archer, the witness, said that Hunter talked to his father every day, but claimed that they did not discuss business.
As the two prepare for a potential rematch in the 2024 presidential race, Trump has also regularly brought up the younger Biden in an effort to malign him. Stephen Cheung, his spokesman, advised Weiss to “quickly conclude” that Biden and his son “should face the required consequences.”
In a Reuters/Ipsos survey from June, it was discovered that 50% of Americans, including 75% of Republicans and 33% of Democrats, thought Weiss gave the younger Biden preferential treatment. However, the majority said it wouldn’t influence their vote in the next election.