U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss, a Trump appointee who was held over by the Biden administration, has denied allegations of retaliation against an I.R.S. official who testified about divisions in the Hunter Biden case. Weiss defended the integrity of his investigation in a letter sent to House Republicans, providing the most detailed explanation yet of the five-year probe that resulted in a plea agreement for Hunter Biden.
Weiss addressed the allegations made by Gary Shapley, an I.R.S. official who claimed that Weiss helped block a promotion he had sought after reaching out to congressional investigators. Shapley also alleged that Biden-appointed U.S. attorneys in California and Washington had prevented Weiss from prosecuting Hunter Biden on felony tax charges. Weiss did not deny that those offices had turned down his request to bring more serious charges, but he backed up Attorney General Merrick B. Garland’s statement that he had full authority in the case and the option to overrule prosecutors.
Weiss explained that as the U.S. attorney in Delaware, his charging authority is geographically limited to his home district. If a case lies elsewhere, it is common practice to contact the United States Attorney’s Office for that district and determine whether they want to partner on the case. If not, Weiss may request special attorney status. He clarified that deputizing a federal prosecutor as a special attorney is different from making them a special counsel, as the former allows an outsider to intervene in cases that span multiple jurisdictions or have special conditions.
Weiss emphasized that if he wanted to bring charges against Hunter Biden in California or Washington, he would do so without concern about being blocked by the Department of Justice’s leadership. He stated that he had been assured that he would be granted the necessary authority in those districts if needed.
The U.S. attorney’s letter comes in response to a request for testimony from House Republicans, including Representative Jim Jordan, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. Weiss’s frustration with what he believes to be unwarranted attacks on his character and motives led him to air his response before the July 4 break.
The Department of Justice’s legislative affairs office is working with Jordan’s staff to determine the appropriate timeline and scope for Weiss’s public testimony. However, Weiss noted that the ongoing nature of the investigation legally precludes him from testifying about the details at this time.
Weiss’s denial of retaliation and his defense of the integrity of the Hunter Biden investigation provide insight into the complex dynamics surrounding the case. As the investigation continues, the public awaits further developments and potential testimony from key officials involved.
