AG Garland Appoints Special Counsel to Hunter Biden Investigation

Attorney General Merrick Garland announced Friday that Attorney David Weiss has been appointed special counsel to oversee the Department of Justice’s ongoing investigation into Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden.

Details: Weiss has been involved in the case for years, but this new appointment gives him additional authority and independence to conduct the investigation. According to Garland, Weiss requested the appointment earlier this week. Back in June, Hunter Biden’s legal team and the Justice Department appeared to reach a plea deal in which Biden agreed to plead guilty to charges stemming from unpaid income tax and a gun-related charge. But in July, the deal collapsed after scrutiny from the overseeing judge sparked disagreement between the two legal teams, leading Biden to instead plead not guilty. 

Key Quotes: Announcing the appointment, Garland stated, “The appointment of Mr. Weiss reinforces for the American people the department's commitment to both independence and accountability in particularly sensitive matters.” Some Republican lawmakers, already disapproving of Weiss for his involvement in what they called a “sweetheart plea deal,” were critical of the appointment. Rep. James Comer (R-KY), who is leading the House Oversight Committee’s probe into the President’s son, said the decision was “part of the Justice Department’s efforts to attempt a Biden family coverup.”

How the Media Covered It: Outlets across the spectrum covered the appointment. Right-rated outlets more heavily emphasized backlash and criticism from Republican lawmakers. Reuters (Center bias) said a potential trial for the president’s son “could create an unprecedented spectacle.”