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During a recent congressional investigation, an FBI supervisory special agent revealed that the Biden transition team and Secret Service headquarters were informed about a planned interview with Hunter Biden in December 2020.
Surprisingly, the interview, which was meant to be a crucial part of the yearslong federal investigation, did not take place at all. This revelation has raised concerns about potential political influence over prosecutorial decisions in the Hunter Biden case.
The retired agent, with over two decades of experience in the FBI, testified behind closed doors at the House Oversight Committee, supporting whistleblower allegations that suggest politics played a role in guiding the investigation led by U.S. attorney David Weiss.
Notably, Gary Shapley, an IRS whistleblower, confirmed the claims made by the agent, adding credibility to the concerns raised.
In an attempt to address these concerns, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Weiss as special counsel for the investigation into Hunter Biden.
However, this decision has garnered criticism from Republicans and critics of Garland, who question how Weiss can lead the probe with newfound independence after being accused of allowing politics to influence previous decisions. Many are skeptical of the perceived objectivity of the investigation under Weiss’ leadership.
The frustration surrounding the investigation deepened when the Justice Department’s orchestrated plea deal with Hunter Biden fell through in federal court due to concerns about its constitutionality.
This raised further doubts about the handling of the case and prompted Garland to take action by appointing Weiss as special counsel.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer expressed his lack of confidence in Weiss as the Special Counsel, citing examples of alleged misconduct within the Justice Department.
Comer questioned the department’s failure to prevent the Biden transition team from being contacted, along with the cancellation of the planned interview with Hunter Biden.
Comer also highlighted the limitations imposed on investigators, which hindered their efforts to pursue potential leads and ensure a fair investigation.
The testimony provided by the FBI supervisory special agent shed light on the decision-making process throughout the probe into Hunter Biden.
The agent explained that after years of investigation, it was time to interview Hunter Biden in December 2020. However, the agent and his assistant were informed that they could not approach the house and had to stand by while their information was shared with the Secret Service.
Questioned about the reason behind the abrupt change of plans, the agent stated he was unaware of any political considerations.
The agent believed that notifying the Secret Service headquarters might have been to maintain a good working relationship between the FBI and the Secret Service. However, the agent had no knowledge of why the Biden transition team was also informed.
The agent’s inability to interview Hunter Biden on the planned date was a cause of frustration, as it went against typical investigative practices.
Despite the setback, the agent and their assistant eventually conducted another interview with a different witness. However, they never managed to interview Hunter Biden as part of the ongoing investigation.
When questioned about the potential political influence on the change of plans, the agent could not provide any insight.
They did not know why the Biden transition team was aware of the interview or whether it was politically motivated. Additionally, the agent testified that they had never known U.S. Attorney David Weiss to make prosecutorial decisions based on political influence.
Although the agent disagreed with some investigative steps related to the interview of Hunter Biden, they accepted the decision made and proceeded accordingly. This highlights the agent’s commitment to their responsibilities despite personal concerns.
The House Oversight, Judiciary, and Ways & Means Committees, led by Chairman James Comer, have made it clear that they will persist in investigating the Justice Department’s handling of the case.
These committees aim to shed light on potential misconduct and ensure accountability for any wrongdoing within the two-tiered system of justice.
The controversy surrounding the Hunter Biden investigation continues to raise questions about the integrity of the process.
As the special counsel takes charge, it remains to be seen whether the investigation will overcome the allegations of political influence and successfully navigate the complex terrain of delivering justice.