During his testimony, Weiss outlined the challenges he faced in assembling a legal team for the Hunter Biden case. Despite his efforts to reach out to the DOJ’s deputy attorney general’s office, he was met with minimal support, receiving only one resume. Weiss, who was appointed U.S. attorney of Delaware under the Trump administration, began investigating Hunter Biden at that time. His role as a special counsel under former Attorney General Merrick Garland became pivotal after a plea deal with Hunter Biden collapsed in August 2023.
Weiss’s handling of the case drew criticism from both political sides, with Republicans accusing him of offering a lenient plea deal and Democrats arguing he was treated harshly as the president’s son. The case became a national news story focused on the alleged misconduct of Hunter Biden, a recovering addict, and potential complicity by President Joe Biden. Weiss’s eventual success in securing convictions for gun possession and tax charges was met with mixed reactions.
During his interview, Weiss noted that while he eventually got two attorneys, Leo Wise and Derek Hines, the initial lack of support from the DOJ highlighted the politicization of the case. The DOJ’s Public Integrity Section eventually provided assistance, but Weiss suggested that his proactive outreach contributed to this support. The testimony also raised questions about the reasons for not charging Hunter Biden for tax years prior to 2015, with Weiss noting legal constraints that prevented him from pursuing those cases.
The case’s complexities, including Hunter Biden’s role at Burisma and his interactions with the Obama State Department, added to the controversy. Weiss’s final report, which was released after his tenure as special counsel, did not fully explain the decisions regarding charges for certain tax years, citing the president’s pardon. The political implications of these decisions continue to be a point of contention, with Congress seeking further clarity on the prosecutorial choices made during the investigation.