The special counsel leading the investigation into President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, has repeatedly affirmed he was never constrained in the probe, insisting he had the necessary authority. David Weiss revealed this during an interview with House Judiciary Committee investigators, a transcript of which was reviewed by POLITICO. The interview was part of the House Republicans’ impeachment inquiry targeting President Biden and his family in what has been described as an unusual arrangement. This summer, the extent of Weiss’s authority attracted scrutiny when IRS agents working with him testified to Congress about unusual hurdles faced by the team.
In the interview, Weiss claimed that officials at the Justice Department initially withheld the “special attorney” authorization that would have allowed him to bring criminal charges against Hunter Biden outside of Delaware. Despite his satisfaction with the authority he had, the process for moving forward with the probe was subject to standard procedures, as directed by Justice Department officials. Subsequently, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Weiss as a special counsel, which granted wide-ranging authority to prosecute Hunter Biden anywhere in the country.
Weiss had initially discussed receiving special authority to potentially bring charges in Washington, D.C., in February 2022. However, officials at Main Justice requested that he first consult with the U.S. attorney’s office in D.C., ultimately offering no partnership but agreeing to provide administrative assistance. The DOJ then gave Weiss the green light but insisted on following established guidelines. While House Republicans argue that this contradicts earlier statements from Weiss about his “ultimate authority,” Weiss denied facing such constraints.
In September, an indictment against Hunter Biden was obtained in Delaware on charges that he owned a gun as a drug user. Weiss affirmed the substantial challenges his team has faced, including threats and harassment, some of which have been directed at family members of his office. This has sparked major safety concerns.
In his testimony, Weiss declined to answer several questions about his decisions during the investigation but hinted that his report, which is required of all special counsels, would address multiple queries. The report is expected to discuss interactions with another U.S. attorney, Scott Brady, who was assigned to vet tips related to Ukraine corruption, among other significant topics.
Weiss also provided insights into his prior relationship with Beau Biden, denying that the two had a close friendship and barely interacted, despite their parallel roles. Finally, he offered clarity on the hiatus of the proposed plea deal for Hunter Biden, in which a judge raised concerns. Concerning the investigation, which began quietly in 2018, Weiss expressed his desire for it to conclude soon, noting that “it’s never good for cases to linger.”
A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment.
