Hunter Biden’s Former Colleague Nominated to Lead Office of the Special Counsel
Hunter Biden walks to appear in a federal court on gun charges in Wilmington, Delaware. (Reuters)
President Joe Biden has chosen someone with close ties to Hunter Biden to head the Office of the Special Counsel, a move that has sparked controversy and calls for investigation.
Biden has selected Hampton Dellinger for the position, which is responsible for investigating corruption within the executive branch and safeguarding federal whistleblowers. Dellinger currently serves as the head of the Justice Department’s office of legal policy.
If confirmed, Dellinger’s connection to Hunter Biden could raise concerns about a potential conflict of interest. Dellinger and Hunter Biden previously worked together at the prestigious law firm Boies Schiller Flexner, as Washington Free Beaconreported. In 2014, Hunter Biden enlisted Boies Schiller Flexner to represent Burisma Holdings, the Ukrainian energy company where he held a board position.
During their time at Boies Schiller Flexner, Hunter Biden and Dellinger’s crisis management and government response team collaborated on a public relations and lobbying strategy for Burisma, as revealed in emails from Biden’s laptop. While it remains unclear if Dellinger directly worked on behalf of Burisma, their paths crossed on multiple occasions. They even arranged a lunch date in February 2014 and attended a dinner party for Boies Schiller partners in March 2014.
If Dellinger’s nomination is approved, he will face pressure from Congress to investigate allegations of retaliation against two IRS whistleblowers who raised concerns about the federal investigation into Hunter Biden. In July, Senator Chuck Grassley (R., Iowa), Representative Jim Jordan (R., Ohio), and other Republicans demanded an investigation into potential retaliation against Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, the whistleblowers who accused the Justice Department of inadequate investigation into Hunter Biden’s tax evasion and foreign lobbying.
The whistleblowers have alleged that Hunter Biden failed to report significant income from Burisma Holdings in 2014 and 2015. They claim that the Justice Department and IRS officials removed them from the Biden probe as a form of retaliation for voicing concerns. Hunter Biden’s lawyers have even threatened the whistleblowers, with Abbe Lowell suggesting that Shapley and Ziegler should face prosecution for disclosing Biden’s tax information. However, the whistleblowers maintain that they acted within the protections provided to federal whistleblowers and deny any wrongdoing.
The White House has not responded to requests for comment on this matter.
How does Dellinger’s close ties to Hunter Biden raise questions about his ability to fulfill the role of the Special Counsel effectively and without any undue influence
Ger worked closely together on various client matters, including Burisma Holdings. This connection raises concerns about the potential for bias or favoritism in Dellinger’s role as head of the Office of the Special Counsel.
Critics argue that Dellinger’s nomination is a clear example of the Biden administration’s lack of transparency and commitment to keeping government affairs separate from personal interests. The appointment of someone with close ties to the president’s son, who has faced his own share of controversy and accusations of influence peddling, only fuels concerns about the potential for favoritism and political interference in the Office of the Special Counsel.
The Special Counsel plays a crucial role in investigating wrongdoing within the executive branch and holding government officials accountable. It is essential that the person in this position is unbiased, impartial, and free from any conflicts of interest. The nomination of someone with such close ties to Hunter Biden raises questions about whether Dellinger can truly fulfill this role effectively and without any undue influence.
Given the gravity of the responsibilities entrusted to the Office of the Special Counsel, it is vital that there is complete trust and confidence in the individual leading it. The American public deserves reassurance that the investigation and whistleblower protection processes will be conducted with utmost integrity and without any favoritism.
Therefore, it is imperative that Dellinger’s nomination undergoes rigorous scrutiny and investigation to ensure that there are no conflicts of interest that could compromise the integrity and independence of the Office of the Special Counsel. If any concerns or connections to Hunter Biden are found, they must be addressed transparently and appropriately to maintain public trust in the office and the administration as a whole.
This nomination serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding ethical standards and avoiding even the appearance of impropriety in government appointments. It is crucial that those selected for key positions in the administration are chosen based on their qualifications, experiences, and lack of personal connections that could compromise the integrity of their roles.
Moving forward, the Biden administration must take steps to ensure that its appointments and decisions are made with the utmost care and consideration for potential conflicts of interest. Transparency and integrity are vital for maintaining public trust and confidence in the government, and any appointment that raises questions about these values should be thoroughly investigated and addressed.
As the nomination of Hampton Dellinger to lead the Office of the Special Counsel continues to face scrutiny, it is essential that the concerns raised are taken seriously and addressed appropriately. The reputation and effectiveness of the Office of the Special Counsel, as well as the Biden administration, are at stake, and it is essential that swift and decisive action is taken to maintain the integrity of this vital government institution.
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