The Department of Justice (DOJ) dropped a major announcement recently, declaring U.S. Attorney for Delaware, David Weiss, as the special counsel in the ongoing investigation of Hunter Biden. But this hasn’t sat well with prominent Republicans who were quick to express their reservations about the appointment.
The backdrop to this skepticism stems from an earlier episode where Weiss extended what some described as a “sweetheart” plea deal to Hunter Biden concerning tax and gun possession offenses. What made headlines was that this deal, which astonishingly proposed no jail time, collapsed when a judge declined to endorse it.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was swift to react on X, the successor to Twitter. He articulated a sentiment many conservatives share, questioning the potential objectivity and thoroughness of the investigation given Weiss’s prior leniencies. “If Weiss negotiated the sweetheart deal that couldn’t get approved, how can he be trusted as a Special Counsel?” McCarthy questioned, emphasizing the GOP’s commitment to seeking the truth.
Echoing McCarthy’s sentiments, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise didn’t mince words, dubbing Weiss’ appointment as “outrageous.” He hinted at a tactic to restrict congressional access to information, disguising it as a genuine inquiry. The rationale is: if Weiss sanctioned a lenient plea deal once, who’s to say he won’t steer the investigation in a favorable direction again?
Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina succinctly summarized his views with the terse remark, “A year too late,” while Representative Andrew Clyde of Georgia was even more direct, opining that Weiss has “ZERO credibility” given the earlier plea deal saga.
Several other leading Republican voices, including Reps. Jim Jordan, Lauren Boebert, and James Comer joined the chorus, signaling their skepticism and apprehension about the DOJ’s latest move.
The common thread here is clear: the conservative faction demands transparency, impartiality, and thoroughness in any investigation, especially one that delves into potential corruption at such elevated levels. Will Weiss be up to the task or will the skepticism prove justified? Only time will tell.
