Special Counsel Indicates Potential Criminal Trial for Hunter Biden.

President Biden’s Son Hunter⁤ Biden May Face⁢ Criminal Trial, Special Counsel Says

In a ⁣stunning ⁤development, U.S. Special Counsel David Weiss⁣ announced on Friday that Hunter Biden, the son of President‌ Joe Biden, ‌could potentially be headed for a criminal trial.​ This ​revelation sets the stage for‌ a dramatic courtroom showdown that could have far-reaching implications for the 2024 presidential election.

The prospect of a trial raises the unprecedented possibility of‌ a sitting president’s son facing ⁢criminal charges while his father campaigns for reelection. This scenario‍ becomes even more intriguing considering that President Biden’s likely opponent in ⁤the election, Donald Trump, is himself ⁣facing multiple criminal trials.

Adding to the political turmoil, Republicans in the House of Representatives are threatening to launch an impeachment inquiry into allegations that President Biden benefited from his son’s business ​ventures.

Weiss, ⁢who has been investigating Hunter ‍Biden since 2019, filed misdemeanor criminal tax and gun charges against him ⁤in June. However,⁣ a ‌federal judge rejected a plea deal ‌offered ⁢to Biden by Weiss ‍in July.

In a recent court filing, Weiss stated that negotiations between the two ‍parties have broken down, leading him to believe that the case will not be ⁣resolved without a trial.

This development comes shortly after U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland elevated Weiss to the‌ status of special counsel,⁤ granting him additional authority and independence to pursue‌ the investigation. Despite⁣ this, Republicans remain skeptical⁤ of Weiss’s ability to conduct an impartial investigation, citing his previous “sweetheart plea deal” with the president’s son.

Hunter Biden, who pleaded not guilty to ⁣charges of ​failing to pay ⁣taxes on over $1.5 million in income in 2017 and 2018, now finds himself at the center​ of ⁤a legal storm. Additionally, he faces a separate felony charge for unlawfully owning‍ a firearm while using illegal drugs.

Special Counsel ​Appointment and Potential Charges

As a special counsel, Weiss will‍ operate independently from ​the Justice ​Department and has the authority to file charges anywhere in the United States. While Garland can overrule Weiss’s proposed actions, he must notify Congress if ⁣he does so.

Weiss ⁣has indicated that he may bring different‌ charges ‍against Hunter Biden in Washington or California, where the alleged criminal conduct took place.

Responding to concerns about political interference, Hunter Biden’s lawyer, Chris Clark, expressed⁣ confidence ‍in Weiss’s ability ⁤to​ resist such pressures. Clark stated, “Whether in Delaware, Washington, D.C., or anywhere else, we expect a fair resolution ‌not infected by politics,⁤ and we’ll do ⁣what is necessary⁣ on behalf of Mr. ​Biden to‍ achieve that.”

Once Weiss completes his work, he will produce​ a report that the Justice ‌Department ⁢intends ‌to make as public ⁣as possible. This move aims⁣ to reinforce the department’s commitment to independence and accountability in sensitive matters.

Political Backlash ‍and Allegations

Republicans‌ have long accused President Biden of profiting from​ his son’s business dealings in Ukraine and ‍China. However, they have yet to provide concrete evidence‍ of ​any wrongdoing. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy even suggested ⁣the possibility of⁣ launching ​an impeachment inquiry in the coming months.

The‍ White House has chosen not to⁢ comment on the matter, ⁣dismissing previous Republican allegations as‌ “insane conspiracy theories.”⁤ They maintain that President‌ Biden had no involvement in his son’s ⁤business affairs.

Hunter Biden’s professional background includes work as a lobbyist, lawyer, consultant, and investment banker. He ‍has publicly acknowledged his struggles with alcoholism and crack cocaine addiction.

Republicans critical of Weiss’s appointment argue that his previous ​actions undermine his credibility. House Judiciary Committee‌ Republicans released a statement claiming ‍that Weiss‍ cannot be trusted and accusing him of attempting to⁣ whitewash‍ the Biden family’s alleged corruption.

Weiss is the third⁢ special counsel appointed by Garland to investigate politically sensitive matters. Two others, Jack Smith and ‍Robert Hur, are respectively pursuing criminal charges against Trump and investigating whether Biden mishandled classified documents ⁤after leaving office as vice president.

Special counsels have played significant roles ‌in‌ previous administrations, investigating⁤ matters such as ⁢the outing of a ‌CIA agent and Russian⁤ interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Hunter ⁣Biden​ has been the⁤ subject of scrutiny by ⁣several Republican⁣ congressional committees. One former associate testified before ‌the‌ House Oversight Committee, suggesting that Hunter‌ emphasized his ‍family connections while conducting business in Ukraine. However, the witness clarified that these conversations did not involve any business dealings.

Trump has frequently targeted‍ Hunter Biden ⁢in an effort​ to tarnish his father’s reputation, particularly as they ⁢potentially face off⁣ in the 2024 presidential election. Trump’s spokesperson, Stephen Cheung, urged Weiss to swiftly ‌conclude the investigation and hold both Biden and his son accountable.

A June Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed that half of Americans, ⁤including 75% of Republicans⁣ and 33% of Democrats, believed that Hunter Biden received preferential treatment from Weiss. However, most respondents​ stated that this belief would not impact their voting decisions in the ​upcoming election.

(Additional reporting by Sarah N. Lynch, Jeff Mason, Rami Ayyub, Moira Warburton, ‌Jacqueline Thomsen, and David Ljunggren; writing by ‌Andy Sullivan; editing by Scott Malone and⁣ Alistair Bell)