House Judiciary Committee’s Chairman, Jim Jordan (R-OH), is intensifying his probe into the Justice Department’s examination of Hunter Biden, the president’s son.
Jordan has officially requested a series of pertinent documents and is seeking an interview with David Weiss, the designated special counsel overseeing the investigation, on October 11, according to the committee’s website.
Weiss had earlier expressed his willingness to engage in discussions with the committee.
Additionally, the chairman’s demand extends to the Justice Department, wherein he seeks information regarding IRS whistleblowers who expressed concerns over the mismanagement of the probe.
These whistleblowers, identified as IRS agents Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, have raised questions over the pace of the investigation into Hunter Biden.
They alleged that both Weiss and his deputy, Lesley Wolf, were occasionally reluctant to aggressively move forward with the case, which encompasses accusations of multiple tax crimes.
A contentious point was Shapley’s statement claiming that U.S. Attorney for D.C., Matthew Graves, had hesitated in pressing charges against Biden in the D.C. jurisdiction.
However, this claim faced refutations from Graves’s office and Weiss.
Hunter Biden, who was indicted recently over charges pertaining to not disclosing drug use during a firearm purchase, might also face tax-related charges, although this remains unconfirmed.
Among the documents Jordan is keen on obtaining is a PowerPoint presentation on the investigation.
Of particular interest is an October 7 meeting, which according to Shapley, had Weiss stating that he had made attempts, but was unsuccessful, in acquiring special counsel status.
This would’ve granted him the authority to press charges beyond Delaware.
However, this account has faced challenges.
Thomas Sobocinski, the FBI agent heading the Baltimore field office, shared with the Judiciary Committee: “My memory of this is that it was a process or a bureaucracy thing he moves through, not a permission or authority issue.”
Sobocinski also commented, “Approval means, to me, that’s more like, ‘Hey, I can say no.’ I never thought that anybody was there above David Weiss to say no.”
This sentiment is also echoed by Sobocinski’s deputy, Ryeshia Holley, who reportedly has no memory of Weiss expressing difficulties in achieving special counsel status.
Holley added that she didn’t perceive political influences affecting the investigation’s speed, a viewpoint Sobocinski agrees with.
While Weiss was promoted to the role of special counsel in August, this came after Shapley’s testimony in May.
Despite this, the Republicans are determined to address this matter, especially after Attorney General Merrick Garland’s comment in March, stating, “He has been advised that he should get anything he needs.”
The Justice Department has acknowledged the receipt of Jordan’s letter but chose to remain silent on the issue, as did Weiss’s office.
