The Justice Department released the final report by Special Counsel David Weiss on Monday, marking the conclusion of a yearslong investigation into Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden. Weiss, a Trump appointee elevated to special counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland, defended his decisions to prosecute Hunter Biden on tax and gun charges while addressing criticisms from President Biden and allegations of special treatment.
The report, submitted to Congress by Garland, outlined Weiss’s handling of the cases, including a jury conviction on felony gun charges in Delaware and a guilty plea to tax evasion charges in California. President Biden’s December pardon of his son, following these legal outcomes, stirred bipartisan criticism after the president characterized the charges as “raw politics.”
Weiss strongly pushed back on the president’s comments, stating that such claims undermined the integrity of the Department of Justice and public servants involved in the case. He emphasized that injecting partisanship into legal proceedings erodes public confidence in the justice system, which is essential to maintaining the rule of law.
The investigation into Hunter Biden included charges of failing to pay $1.4 million in federal taxes while leading an extravagant lifestyle and lying on a gun application about drug use. Weiss defended his decisions, asserting that the evidence supported the charges and convictions beyond a reasonable doubt. He highlighted that his actions adhered to the Principles of Federal Prosecution and that the charges were warranted given the seriousness of the offenses.
Republicans in Congress have criticized Weiss’s handling of the case, alleging favoritism toward Hunter Biden. Weiss rejected these claims, pointing to the legal precedent for his decisions, particularly in pursuing firearm-related charges. He noted that such charges were brought more frequently than most other firearm offenses during the analyzed period.
Allegations of preferential treatment were also raised by IRS agents involved in the investigation. They claimed they were prevented from taking routine investigative steps, suggesting that the president’s son received special treatment. Gary Shapley, an experienced IRS special agent, stated that the case deviated from standard procedures. However, Weiss and the Justice Department denied these allegations, asserting that the investigation was conducted without political interference.
The report also addressed fabricated claims by Alexander Smirnov, a former FBI informant who falsely implicated the Biden family. Smirnov pleaded guilty to lying to federal agents and was sentenced to six years in prison earlier this year. Weiss’s investigation into Smirnov highlighted the challenges of handling misinformation in high-profile cases.
In his report, Weiss emphasized his commitment to impartiality and the independent administration of justice, defending his decisions against criticisms from both sides. Attorney General Garland noted in his accompanying letter to Congress that there were no instances during the investigation that required his intervention due to policy violations.
The release of the Weiss report brings an end to a controversial chapter in Hunter Biden’s legal battles but is unlikely to silence ongoing political debates surrounding the case. It stands as a testament to the challenges of conducting a high-stakes investigation under intense public and political scrutiny.