By Steve Neavling
David Weiss, the special counsel overseeing the investigation into Hunter Biden, testified behind closed doors to a House committee and denied claims of political meddling and said he has full authority in the case.
Weiss’s rare congressional testimony came after two IRS agents claimed earlier this year that he and other Justice Department officials stymied the investigation. One of the agents alleged Weiss was taking orders.
During his testimony, Weiss sought to assure lawmakers that he was the ultimate decision-maker.
“I am, and have been, the decision-maker on this case,” Weiss told the panel, according to prepared remarks obtained by The Washington Post. “I do not, however, make these decisions in a vacuum. I am bound by federal law, the principles of federal prosecution and DOJ guidelines. As a result, there are processes that I must adhere to in making investigative and charging decisions. These processes did not interfere with my decision-making authority. At no time was I blocked, or otherwise prevented from pursuing charges or taking the steps necessary in the investigation by other United States Attorneys, the Tax Division or anyone else at the Department of Justice.”
Some Republicans were unconvinced and pointed to a proposed plead deal for Biden that fell apart.
“The important thing is that he has no answers for why he would offer a misdemeanor plea bargain with no jail time to someone who committed felonies and exclude all unknown or yet-to-be-investigated crimes,” Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., said. “It’s that lack of explanation that leads us to all the other questions of whether he was influenced by others or in consultation with others.”
