Hunter Biden could face trial as US special counsel named

President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden may be headed for trial on criminal charges after talks on a potential plea deal reached impasse, the newly named U.S. Special Counsel in the case, David Weiss, said on Friday.

Moments earlier, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland elevated Weiss, the federal prosecutor who has been handling the case, to special counsel status, which would give him additional authority to continue his investigation.

Republicans in Congress have threatened an impeachment inquiry into unproven claims that Biden benefited from his 54-year-old son's business ventures.

Weiss filed misdemeanor criminal tax and gun charges against Hunter Biden in June and both parties reached a proposed plea deal. But a federal judge refused to accept the deal. Weiss said in a court filing on Friday that the two sides are at an impasse and a trial is likely.