The White House rejected the accusations as “wild conspiracy theories” and claimed that Biden had no involvement in his son’s business dealings. An investigation by Weiss over several years has found no evidence that Hunter used his father’s political power for his own benefit.
It’s unclear if the appointment is in response to political pressure from Republicans or signals a broader investigation into Hunter Biden’s dealings that could lead to more criminal charges. According to Garland, Weiss applied for the appointment earlier in the week.
Weiss will produce a report when his work is done, the prosecutor said, and the Justice Department will make as much of it public as possible. “The appointment of Mr. Weiss reinforces to the American people the department’s commitment to both independence and accountability on especially sensitive issues,” Garland told reporters.
Hunter Biden, 53, has worked in lobbying groups, as a lawyer, consultant and investment banker, and has stated that he has struggled with alcoholism and crack use. Weiss accused him of not paying taxes in 2017 and 2018 and of illegally possessing a firearm, being addicted to illegal drugs.
His father is a candidate for re-election in the 2024 presidential elections, in which he may have as a rival the former Republican president Donald Trump, who is the subject of various criminal charges, one of them in charge of another special prosecutor appointed by the Department of Justice, Jack Smith.