The prosecutor leading the Hunter Biden investigation is testifying before Congress on Tuesday, marking the first time a special prosecutor has appeared before lawmakers in the middle of an investigation.
This comes at a time when, after weeks of deadlock, Republicans in the House of Representatives are aiming to speed up investigations into President Joe Biden and his family, investigations aimed at launching impeachment proceedings against the president.
David Weiss is testifying before members of the House Judiciary Committee as he faces accusations from Republicans that he did not have full authority in the years-long investigation into the case involving the president’s son.
The Judiciary Committee meeting where Mr. Weiss is testifying is being held behind closed doors.
The Justice Department’s rare decision to allow a special prosecutor and other prosecutors to face questions before the probes are closed is an indication of how seriously the Justice Department is taking allegations of interference.
“Mr. Weiss is prepared for this unprecedented opportunity to testify before the investigation is closed to make it clear that he has had and continues to have full authority in his investigations,” said Mr. Weiss’s spokesman, Wyn Hornbuckle. , on Monday, through a statement.
Republicans in the House of Representatives accuse the Department of Justice of illegal interference in the investigation of Mr. Hunter Biden, whose legal troubles are at the epicenter of their investigation, investigations aimed at starting proceedings to impeach the president.
Today’s testimony is expected to center on the testimony of an employee of the agency responsible for collecting US federal taxes (IRS), who has raised allegations that the investigations directed by Mr. Weiss into the president’s son have been slow. He raised allegations of mismanagement of investigations.
Mr. Weiss has rejected the accusations stating that he was the one who “sealed” the investigations.
Two other prosecutors from Washington and California testified in recent weeks that they did not block Mr. Weiss from filing charges in their states, although they denied cooperating with prosecutor Weiss.
But the IRS whistleblower, who testified publicly over the summer, insists his testimony reflects a pattern of interference and preferential treatment in the Hunter Biden case, not just disagreements with superiors over what steps to take under investigations.
Questions about Hunter Biden’s business dealings have been at the epicenter of Republican investigations aimed at launching impeachment proceedings against the president.
But whether he will be able to provide information, or what information Mr. Weiss will be able to provide to Congress, remains unclear, as based on Justice Department rules and legislation, he will not be able to talk about details related to the investigations he is conducting.
In general, ongoing investigative processes are kept secret in order to protect evidence, prevent witness exposure, and avoid defense attorneys challenging the results of investigations.
In Hunter Biden’s case, defense attorneys have signaled that they plan to contest the illegal possession charges and have hinted that prosecutors have succumbed to political pressure to bring these charges.