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☆ Reactions to appointment of a US special counsel in Hunter Biden case
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Weiss said Hunter Biden may be headed for trial on criminal charges after talks on a potential plea deal reached an impasse. If Weiss negotiated the sweetheart deal that couldn’t get approved, how can he be trusted as a Special Counsel? Garland appointing Weiss as a sham special counsel on Hunter is a way to block info from Congress while claiming they're investigating. The Biden Justice Department is trying to stonewall congressional oversight as we have presented evidence to the American people about the Biden family's corruption." REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE LAUREN BOEBERT ON X:"Merrick Garland just announced that he will appoint US Attorney Weiss as Special Counsel to look into Hunter Biden's matters.

Persons: Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, General Merrick Garland's, David Weiss, Joe Biden's, Weiss, KEVIN MCCARTHY, Biden, couldn’t, DICK DURBIN, Garland, Biden’s, Trump, Trump’s, STEVE SCALISE, Hunter, STEVEN CHEUNG, DONALD TRUMP, RUSSELL, JIM JORDAN, David Weiss can’t, JAMES COMER, General Garland, Biden's, LINDSEY GRAHAM, you've, BYRON DONALDS, LAUREN BOEBERT, Merrick Garland, I'm, NIKKI HALEY, Moira Warburton, David Morgan, Josephine Walker, Jasper Ward, Howard Goller Organizations: REUTERS, TWITTER, DOJ, Republicans, DEMOCRATIC, Justice Department, U.S, Justice Department’s, Biden, REPUBLICAN, Biden Justice Department, FOX, Biden Fam, US, Department of Justice, Thomson Locations: Wilmington , Delaware, U.S, Delaware, Washington

☆ GOP Oversight Chairman Comer vows to subpoena the Biden family
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Scott Wong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, departs federal court after a plea hearing on two misdemeanor charges of willfully failing to pay income taxes in Wilmington, Delaware, July 26, 2023. WASHINGTON — House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, who is leading the investigation into Hunter Biden's foreign business dealings, said Thursday his panel plans to subpoena members of the Biden family, including possibly President Joe Biden. We are going to subpoena the family," Comer, R-Ky., said in an appearance on Fox Business. Comer said that had he issued a subpoena for Joe and Hunter Biden on his first day as Oversight chairman, a judge would have thrown it out. Last month, Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to two charges of failing to pay federal taxes related to his business dealings.

Persons: Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, James Comer, Hunter, Biden, Comer, Joe, —, Ian Sams, Devon Archer, Joe Biden's, Archer, Maria Bartiromo, We've, they'll, Donald Trump Organizations: WASHINGTON —, Fox Business, Biden, Fox Locations: Wilmington , Delaware, Ky, America, Congress

☆ The new twist in Hunter Biden’s case is a huge political headache for his father
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —A sudden new twist in the investigation into Hunter Biden means his legal tribulations will likely stretch on for months, creating an unwelcome new drag on his father’s White House and reelection bid. Just weeks ago, the shadow of criminal suspicion over Hunter Biden seemed about to lift. The change of status followed the collapse of a deal last month that likely would have seen Hunter Biden get sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges. But the symbolic weight of an appointment of a special counsel stiffens the perception of scandal and potential wrongdoing even if the legal realities of the case haven’t shifted. Important differences between Hunter Biden and Trump casesThere are two important distinctions between Biden and Trump that the Republicans are trying to blur.

Persons: Hunter Biden, David Weiss, Joe Biden’s, Weiss, Joe Biden, Alberto Gonzales, Jake Tapper ”, it’s, …, ”, Gonzales, George W, Bush, Merrick Garland, Hunter Biden’s, Abbe Lowell, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Lowell, Trump, Garland, Clinton, Biden, Donald Trump, It’s, Tanya Chutkan, David Axelrod, Barack Obama, Biden’s, Hunter, Tapper, James Comer –, –, “, Joe Biden hasn’t, ” Comer, Comer, he’s, General Garland, Kevin McCarthy, couldn’t, Carolina Sen, Lindsey Graham, General Garland’s, Hunter Biden – Organizations: CNN, House, Justice Department, White, House Republicans, Trump, Republican, GOP Locations: Delaware, Weiss, Florida, Ukraine, China, Kentucky, California, Carolina

☆ House Republicans are furious about Hunter Biden special counsel
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

WASHINGTON — After more than two years of demanding that the Justice Department appoint a special counsel to investigate Hunter Biden, Republicans in Congress finally got their wish on Friday. "If Weiss negotiated the sweetheart deal that couldn't get approved, how can he be trusted as a Special Counsel?" Republicans argued that a special counsel probe would effectively draw a curtain around evidence they are seeking. "Now, Merrick Garland expects us to trust Weiss to be the Special Counsel that finally brings Hunter Biden to justice," said Leavitt. "The Biden Justice Department is trying to stonewall congressional oversight as we have presented evidence to the American people."

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, WASHINGTON —, Hunter Biden, General Merrick Garland's, Joe Biden's, Weiss, couldn't, McCarthy, David Weiss, Donald Trump, Biden, Department's, Karoline Leavitt, Merrick Garland, Leavitt, James Comer, coverup, Comer, Jim Jordan, Russell Dye, Dye, Hunter Organizations: National Defense, U.S, Capitol, WASHINGTON, Justice Department, Republicans, Congress, GOP, Justice, PAC, Make, Inc, CNBC, Biden Justice Department, Biden, Department Locations: Washington , DC, Delaware, Ky, Ohio

☆ Republicans are already delegitimizing the DOJ's newly-appointed special counsel to investigate Hunter Biden
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

US Attorney David Weiss, who's investigating Hunter Biden, has been appointed special counsel. "David Weiss can't be trusted," wrote the Twitter account for House Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee, which is chaired by Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio. A whistleblower from the IRS previously claimed in June that the Department had hampered Weiss' worked and denied his request to be named special counsel, claims that Weiss firmly rejected. Nonetheless, the special counsel appointment could complicate things for House Republicans. Additionally, Republicans including Jordan have previously called for the appointment of a special counsel to investigate Hunter Biden.

Persons: David Weiss, who's, Hunter Biden, They're, Weiss, General Merrick Garland, Joe Biden's, Garland, Donald Trump, Jim Jordan of Organizations: Service, Republicans, Committee, Rep, Biden, GOP Locations: Wall, Silicon, Delaware, House, Jim Jordan of Ohio

☆ Hunter Biden: US attorney leading Hunter Biden criminal probe is now a special counsel after plea talks break down and a trial looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Marshall Cohen Hannah Rabinowitz Devan Cole | Marshall Cohen | Hannah Rabinowitz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Washington CNN —The Trump-appointed US attorney who is investigating Hunter Biden has been given special counsel status after plea talks between the Justice Department and the president’s son fell apart. It’s the latest dramatic turn in the long-running criminal investigation of Hunter Biden that’s impacted President Joe Biden’s White House and has been a priority of congressional Republicans. The probe appeared to reach its conclusion when a plea deal was announced in June. The GOP had criticized the plea deal, accusing Weiss of giving Hunter Biden preferential treatment. Two career IRS agents who worked on the Hunter Biden probe went public as whistleblowers, claiming there was political meddling in the probe.

Persons: Hunter Biden, David Weiss, Merrick Garland, Weiss, It’s, Joe Biden’s, Hunter, Maryellen Noreika, ”, “, Garland, Jim Jordan, “ David Weiss can’t, ” Jordan, Russell Dye, “ Weiss, James Comer of, Biden, coverup, California Weiss, Hunter Biden’s, Chris Clark, Robert Mueller, John Durham, ” Garland Organizations: Washington CNN, Trump, Justice Department, Republicans, GOP, Department, Hunter Biden, Ohio Republican, Biden, Central District of, District of Columbia, District of Locations: Ohio, James Comer of Kentucky, DC, California, Delaware, Washington, Central District, Central District of California, District, Delaware , Washington, “, District of Delaware

☆ Reactions to appointment of a special counsel in Hunter Biden case
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

☆ Mike Pence knocks President Biden over investigation into Hunter: When I was VP 'my son was flying an F-35
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Mike Pence knocked Joe and Hunter Biden over news of a special counsel's investigation. Pence said when he was vice president, "my son was flying an F-35 for the Marine Corps." Hunter Biden was conducting business with foreign companies and struggled with substance abuse during Biden's vice presidency. "When I was vice president, my son was flying an F-35 for the Marine Corps defending this country. Then-Vice President Pence also spoke of his son during his eulogy for President George H.W.

Persons: Mike Pence, Joe, Hunter Biden, Pence, Joe Biden, Hunter's, Biden, president's, General Merrick Garland, David Weiss, Weiss, Hunter, Kevin McCarthy, Beau, James Comer, Michael Pence Jr's, George H.W, George H.W . Bush, Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump Organizations: Marine Corps, Service, Fair, White, Republicans, Republican, Biden, Florida Gov Locations: Wall, Silicon, Iowa, Ukrainian, George H.W .

☆ House Oversight GOP claims they don’t need to find direct payments to Joe Biden to prove corruption in Hunter Biden business dealings memo
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

“President Biden’s defenders purport a weak defense by asserting the Committee must show payments directly to the President to show corruption,” the House Oversight Republicans wrote. “It appears no real services were provided other than access to the Biden network, including Joe Biden himself. Even though Hunter Biden was not directly involved, House Oversight Republicans are attempting to show how a portion of the $3.5 million was transferred into multiple accounts until it entered an account connected to Hunter Biden. In a 2020 Senate report, Republicans revealed the existence of the payment from Baturina to a company tied to Hunter Biden’s business associates. The memo focuses on deals and transactions Hunter Biden made with foreign oligarchs and leaders in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

Persons: Joe Biden, Hunter, Biden’s, ” Hunter Biden, Republicans –, Donald Trump –, Biden, “, Ian Sams, ”, Jamie Raskin, Trump’s, Hunter Biden, Joe Biden’s, James Comer, Devon Archer, Archer, Yelena Baturina, Café, –, ” Archer, Hunter Biden’s, Comer Organizations: CNN, “, Republicans, Biden Administration, White, House Republicans, Democrat, Democratic, “ Republicans, Republican, Burisma, Café Milano Locations: Maryland, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, Kentucky, Ukrainian, Burisma

☆ US House panel opens probe into suspected Chinese hacking of Commerce, State emails
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. and Chinese flags are seen in this illustration taken, January 30, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Aug 2 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives Oversight Committee said Wednesday it is opening an investigation into China's suspected involvement in recent breaches of Commerce and State department email systems. Representative James Comer, who chairs the committee, and the heads of two subcommittees asked Commerce Secretary Raimondo and Secretary of State Antony Blinken for staff briefings by Aug. 9. "We are also concerned that this attack on federal agencies, including the email account of a senior U.S. government official such as yourself, reflects a new level of skill and sophistication from China’s hackers," the lawmakers wrote Raimondo. Reporting by David Shepardson; editing by Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, James Comer, Raimondo, Antony Blinken, David Shepardson, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, U.S . House, Commerce, Thomson Locations: U.S

The source also reiterated that Archer provided no evidence connecting President Joe Biden to any of his son’s foreign business dealings. Goldman said Archer told the panel that Hunter Biden did put his father on speaker phone in the presence of business partners, but that business was never discussed. Devon Archer, a former business associate of Hunter Biden, arrives for closed-door testimony at the O'Neill House Office Building on July 31, 2023 in Washington, DC. Comer then accused Joe Biden of lying about his family’s business dealings and his own involvement – pledging that his panel will continue to investigate. In recent weeks, he delivered his most explicit threat yet to Biden, saying House Republicans’ investigations into the Biden family’s business deals appear to be rising to the level of an impeachment inquiry.

Persons: Devon Archer, Hunter Biden, Archer, Joe Biden, Matthew L, Schwartz, Boies Schiller Flexner, ” Schwartz, “ Mr, Dan Goldman, Goldman, Joe Biden’s, ” Goldman, Biden’s, “, ” Hunter, Drew Angerer, James Comer, Hunter Biden’s, ” Comer, Comer, –, Biden, Ian Sams, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Donald Trump, McCarthy –, Newt Gingrich Organizations: CNN, Republican, Democrats, ”, Democrat, House Republicans, O'Neill, Getty, “, Republicans, House Democrats, Biden, Department, GOP, Congressional, Fox News Locations: Washington, Washington ,, United States

☆ Former Hunter Biden associate interviewed by Republican-led US House panel
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Devon Archer, a former Hunter Biden business associate, arrives for a deposition before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee at the O'Neill House Office Building in Washington, U.S., July 31, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin WurmWASHINGTON, July 31 (Reuters) - A former associate of Hunter Biden appeared before a congressional panel on Monday for an interview that Republican lawmakers hope will shed light on unproven allegations against Democratic President Joe Biden and his family. Devon Archer, who was subpoenaed by the House of Representatives Oversight Committee in June, appeared for an interview behind closed doors led by committee staff. House Republicans allege that Hunter Biden used his father's status as vice president in an influence peddling scheme while sitting on the board of Ukraine energy company Burisma nearly a decade ago. "We know that Devon Archer has met and communicated many, many times with Joe Biden about Burisma and other things," House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer told Fox News on Sunday.

Persons: Devon Archer, Hunter Biden, Kevin Wurm WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Archer, Burisma, Trump, Jamie Raskin, Biden, Lev Parnas, Rudy Giuliani, James Comer, Biden's, Kevin McCarthy, David Morgan, Jonathan Ernst, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Hunter, O'Neill, REUTERS, Democratic, House Republicans, Republican, Trump, New, New York City Mayor, Fox News, Revenue, U.S . Justice Department, Republicans, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Ukraine, New York

☆ House GOP chairmen announce probe into Hunter Biden plea deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Clare Foran | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Three House GOP chairmen sent a letter Monday to Attorney General Merrick Garland demanding documents and information regarding circumstances related to Hunter Biden’s plea deal with the Justice Department. A plea deal between Hunter Biden and the Justice Department is on hold after a dramatic court hearing Wednesday. Noreika said she had “concerns” about the parties seemingly linking the tax plea agreement to resolving a felony gun charge. While the investigation was ongoing, Hunter Biden fully paid his federal tax bill, along with interest and penalties, his lawyers have previously said. Last month, Garland rejected claims the Justice Department improperly interfered in the Hunter Biden probe.

Persons: General Merrick Garland, Hunter, Jim Jordan of, James Comer of, Jason Smith of, Hunter Biden, Hunter Biden’s, Devon Archer, “, ”, Maryellen Noreika, Noreika, David Weiss, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Garland Organizations: CNN, GOP, Justice Department, Republicans –, House Republicans, Justice, Trump -, White House, Department Locations: Jim Jordan of Ohio, Jason Smith of Missouri

☆ Top Democrat slams MTG for debasing a committee 'to the level of a 1970s-era dime store peep show' by showing nude photos of Hunter Biden
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Raskin asked House Oversight Chairman James Comer to reprimand Greene for showing partially nude photos that are purportedly of Hunter Biden. Otherwise, Raskin cautioned, the panel's reputation "is rapidly being reduced to the level of a 1970s-era dime store peep show." I hope Ranking Member Raskin will join me in asking the Justice Department about Hunter Biden's Mann Act violations and why the victims' rights have been ignored." The Georgia Republican has alleged based on purported information obtained from Hunter Biden's laptop that he paid sex workers, potentially violating the century-plus old Mann Act. Rep. Becca Balint, a Vermont Democrat, is pushing a censure of Greene for a litany of past actions, including showing the purported Biden photos.

Persons: Jamie Raskin, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Raskin, James Comer, Greene, Hunter Biden, Comer, Hunter Biden's, Greene's, Hunter, Biden, Becca Balint Organizations: Service, Republican Rep, Kentucky Republican, Maryland Democrat, Department, Georgia Republican, Vermont Democrat Locations: Wall, Silicon, Vermont

☆ Do You Know a Politically Motived Prosecution When You See One? - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Jesse Wegman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

If you’re feeling bewildered by all the claims and counterclaims of politicization, you’re not alone. The Justice Department will always be led by a political appointee, and most state and local prosecutors are elected. That means extremely clear rules for investigators and prosecutors and eternal vigilance for the rest of us. So how to distinguish an investigation or prosecution based solely on the facts from one motivated improperly by politics? More often, though, it takes some work to determine whether an investigation or prosecution is on the level.

Persons: you’re, Jim Jordan of, it’s, McCarthy, Hillary Clinton, James Comer of, Hunter Biden, Biden’s, Comer Organizations: Trump, Democratic, The, Fox News Locations: Russia, Jim Jordan of Ohio, Benghazi, James Comer of Kentucky

☆ McCarthy again marches to Trump’s tune by invoking Biden impeachment inquiry
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Most importantly for Trump and the House Republicans doing his bidding, it could distract from the legal storm around the former president. After only one presidential impeachment in the first two centuries of US history, Biden’s would be the fourth impeachment in around 25 years if House Republicans follow through. The document contained no proof of the allegations or any evidence Biden took part in his son’s work for the firm. McCarthy had for months deflected calls for the impeachment of Biden from the most radical members of his conference. McCarthy insisted on Tuesday that he was only contemplating an impeachment inquiry – rather than a full-scale drive to an impeachment vote – in the House.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Joe Biden, Kevin McCarthy, –, Biden, Trump, McCarthy, Hunter Biden, GOP Sen, Chuck Grassley, “, Christopher Wray, General Merrick Garland, Alejandro Mayorkas, David Weiss, Weiss, we’ve, Don Bacon, it’s, James Comer, South Dakota Sen, John Thune, ”, Utah Sen, Mitt Romney, ” Texas Sen, John Cornyn, ” Cornyn, CNN’s Manu Raju, South Carolina Sen, Lindsey Graham, Trump’s, Biden’s, Volodymyr Zelensky, – Biden Organizations: CNN, The, Republican, Fox News, California Republican, GOP, Republicans, Trump, House Republicans, Justice Department, National Defense, Democratic, Homeland, Biden, of Justice, Hunter, White, ”, Kentucky Republican, House, South, ” Republicans, Ukrainian, Capitol Locations: Washington, California, Iowa, Ukrainian, Ukraine, ” Nebraska, South Dakota, Utah, ” Texas, South Carolina

This week, he delivered his most explicit threat yet to Biden, saying their investigations into the Biden family’s business deals appear to be rising to the level of an impeachment inquiry. The only way Congress can do that is go to an impeachment inquiry,” McCarthy said Tuesday, stopping short of formally moving to open such a probe. Nebraska GOP Rep. Don Bacon, whose district Biden carried in 2020, told CNN that the House needs to be deliberate. It’s not good for the country.”In the first Trump impeachment, House Democrats led a number of closed and open hearings before charging Trump with abuse of power and obstructing Congress. Comer confirmed he has been regularly briefing McCarthy on his Hunter Biden probes, which he thinks helped give McCarthy the “confidence” to publicly raise the idea of an impeachment inquiry.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Joe Biden, McCarthy, Newt Gingrich, Biden, Hunter Biden’s, Donald Trump, ” McCarthy, Alejandro Mayorkas, General Merrick Garland, Hunter Biden, Mike Johnson, we’re, ” Johnson, “, ”, Andy Ogles, coalescing, Andy Biggs, ” Biggs, we’ve, Bob Good, “ I’m, Ken Buck, Caucus hasn’t, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Tom Williams, impeaching Biden, –, expunge, Ralph Norman, ” Norman, Don Bacon, ” Bacon, Nancy Pelosi, Pelosi, “ Pelosi, Trump, ” Jaime Harrison, Greene, Lauren Boebert, Boebert, ” Boebert, ” Hunter Biden, Fort, Saul Loeb, GOP Sen, Chuck Grassley, Hunter, Burisma, Devon Archer, David Weiss, James Comer, Jim Jordan, Comer, it’s, can’t Organizations: CNN, Republican, Republicans, Biden, House Democrats, Homeland, GOP, Tennessee Republican, Caucus, Democratic, Senate, Democrats, Arizona, ”, Virginia Republican, Georgia Republican, Capitol, Firebrand, South Carolina Republican, Nebraska GOP, Trump, Democrat, Democratic National Party, GOP Rep, Fort McNair, Getty, Iowa, FBI, Justice Department, Hunter Biden, Congress, House Republicans, firebrand Locations: Louisiana, Trump, Ken Buck of Colorado, Georgia, Colorado, Washington ,

☆ Kevin McCarthy is now openly threatening to impeach Joe Biden
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Kevin McCarthy is now openly discussing the possibility of impeaching Biden. In response, White House spokesperson Ian Sams blasted McCarthy for the "seemingly bottomless" desire of Republicans to punish the president despite a lack of concrete evidence. The House speaker's mention is more than just a shot across the bow at the White House. As Politico pointed out, McCarthy's mention hints that House Republicans may try to start an impeachment process as a way to potentially unlock greater legal power. While McCarthy has been more guarded when discussing impeachment, some of the more conservative House Republicans have pushed for impeaching the president since his inauguration.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, impeaching Biden, Sean Hannity, Biden, Joe Biden, Hannity, McCarthy, Sen, Chuck Grassley, White, Ian Sams, Sams, James Comer, Devon Archer, Hunter Biden, Comer, Jerry Nadler, Nadler, Nancy Pelosi, Trump, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert Organizations: Republican, GOP, Service, Republicans, White, Fox News, FBI, Twitter, Politico, House Democrats, Trump, House Republicans Locations: Wall, Silicon, Ukrainian, Ukraine, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia

☆ The FBI is furious Chuck Grassley released an internal document that makes unverified claims about Hunter and Joe Biden accepting bribes
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Sonam Sheth | Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley published an FBI document containing an unverified allegation made by a Ukrainian CEO. The Ukrainian executive boasted he'd bribed Joe and Hunter Biden, an FBI informant claimed. FBI told Insider the release of the document "at minimum — unnecessarily risks the safety of a confidential source." When he visited the country in March 2016, Joe Biden pressed hard for Shokin to be fired for corruption. Bloomberg also reported that the Burisma investigation was largely dormant when Biden called for Shokin to be fired.

Persons: Sen, Chuck Grassley, he'd, Joe, Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, Hunter, Mykola Zlochevsky, Zlochevsky, Ron Johnson, Grassley, oligarch, Johnson, Vicki McKenna, Donald Trump, James Comer, Comer, —, Viktor Shokin, Biden, Shokin, Trump Organizations: FBI, Service, Biden, Iowa Republican, Department, Republicans, Burisma Holdings, Street Journal, Bloomberg, Trump Justice Department, U.S, Attorney Locations: Ukrainian, Wall, Silicon, PunchBowl, Ukraine

☆ Republican lawmakers urge FTC to drop fight against Microsoft deal for Activision
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, July 18 (Reuters) - Twenty-two Republican lawmakers urged the Federal Trade Commission to drop its fight against Microsoft's (MSFT.O) deal to buy video game maker Activision Blizzard (ATVI.O), calling it "an example of the FTC’s rejection of sound antitrust policy." In response to the losses, the lawmakers, said: "We write to express our concerns, and to urge you to drop this matter." Microsoft, maker of the Xbox video game console, has been fighting for months to save the $69 billion deal, which was criticized by U.S. and British antitrust enforcers, but appears close to finalizing it. The acquisition of "Call of Duty" video game maker Activision would be Microsoft's biggest ever and the largest in the history of the video game industry. "For two decades, Microsoft’s Xbox business has been the much smaller challenger in the video game publishing and video game console markets," they added.

Persons: Microsoft's, Lina Khan, James Comer, Jim Jordan, Diane Bartz, Leslie Adler Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, Activision, Republican, Representatives, U.S, Microsoft, Committee, FTC, Xbox, Thomson

☆ Secret Services ends White House cocaine investigation with no leads
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Kelly O'Donnell | Rebecca Shabad | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The Secret Service investigation has concluded with no usable forensic or video evidence to identify the individual responsible, three Secret Service officials familiar with the investigation tell NBC News. The Secret Service received results Wednesday from tests conducted by the FBI, "which did not develop latent fingerprints and insufficient DNA was present for investigative comparisons," according to an official statement from the Secret Service released Thursday. "The presence of illegal drugs in the White House is unacceptable and a shameful moment in the White House's history." White House officials noted the Biden family was not at the White House when the cocaine was discovered; the president and his family had left for Camp David for the holiday weekend Friday and did not return to the White House until Tuesday, July 4th, after the cocaine had been discovered. The individuals were notified they could not bring the marijuana to the White House campus, the officials said.

Persons: Biden, Jake Sullivan, Karine Jean, Pierre, Jean, James Comer, Kimberly Cheatle, Comer, Camp David, Pierre said, it's Organizations: Service Police, Lafayette, Service, NBC, White, FBI, NBC News, Homeland, Capitol, West, Wing, West Wing, District of Columbia Fire Department, Department of Homeland, Camp, Secret Services, Washington , D.C, White House Locations: Washington ,, Ky, Fort Detrick , Maryland

☆ A top House Republican is demanding the Secret Service share more about its investigation into the cocaine at the White House
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

House Oversight Chairman James Comer demanded more information about how cocaine got into the White House. He wants the Secret Service to speak to his committee's staff. He also demanded that the Secret Service tell his panel more about its probe to get to the bottom of what occurred. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre previously deferred to the Secret Service, expressing confidence that the agency responsible for the White House security would "get to the bottom of" what happened. The Kentucky Republican requested that the Secret Service provide a briefing to committee staff by July 14, exactly a week from Friday.

Persons: James Comer, —, Comer, Kimberly Cheatle, Karine Jean, Pierre, Joe Biden, Hunter Organizations: Kentucky Republican, Service, Secret, White, Wing, NBC News, NBC Locations: Kentucky

☆ US House Republicans seek testimony from Hunter Biden investigators
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( David Morgan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, June 29 (Reuters) - U.S. House Republicans sought testimony on Thursday from more than a dozen officials from the Justice Department, FBI and other government agencies involved in the federal tax investigation of President Joe Biden's son, Hunter. House Republicans have long made investigations of the president, his family and his administration a top priority. Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy warned earlier this week that Garland could face impeachment over the whistleblower allegations. Thursday's testimony requests came from House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith. "The committees seek to examine whistleblower claims that the ... investigation of Hunter Biden was purposely slow-walked and subjected to improper and politically motivated interference," they said in a letter to Garland.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Hunter, General Merrick Garland, Donald Trump, Trump, Kevin McCarthy, Garland, Jim Jordan, James Comer, Jason Smith, Hunter Biden, David Morgan, Sarah N, Lynch, Scott Malone, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: . House Republicans, Justice Department, FBI, Representatives, Internal Revenue Service, DOJ, Republican, Republicans, Justice, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson

☆ Trump and Republicans slam Hunter Biden's 'slap on the wrist' after it appears the president's son will avoid jail time
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Trump and other Republicans slammed a plea deal that will reportedly keep Hunter Biden out of jail. Federal prosecutors announced a plea deal for the president's son on Tuesday. The corrupt Biden DOJ just cleared up hundreds of years of criminal liability by giving Hunter Biden a mere 'traffic ticket,'" Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth. Attorney General Merrick Garland previously testified that Weiss had the "full authority" to make the decision on whether to charge Hunter Biden. "These charges against Hunter Biden and sweetheart plea deal have no impact on the Oversight Committee's investigation."

Persons: Trump, Hunter Biden, Biden, —, Donald Trump, Hunter, David Weiss, General Merrick Garland, Weiss, James Comer, Comer, Joe Biden, Biden's Organizations: Service, Republican, Biden DOJ, Biden, GOP, The New York Times

Hunter Biden arrives at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base after disembarking from Air Force One with his father, U.S. President Joe Biden, in Syracuse, New York, Feb. 4, 2023. Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, has agreed to plead guilty to two federal misdemeanor crimes of willfully failing to pay federal income taxes, a court filing Tuesday revealed. The corrupt Biden DOJ just cleared up hundreds of years of criminal liability by giving Hunter Biden a mere 'traffic ticket,'" Trump wrote. Trump later wrote on Truth Social: "People are going wild over the Hunter Biden Scam with the DOJ!" "These charges against Hunter Biden and sweetheart plea deal have no impact on the Oversight Committee's investigation.

Persons: Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, Chris Clark, Hunter's, Delaware David Weiss, Weiss, Donald Trump, Joe Biden's, Hunter —, Hunter, Ian Sams, Merrick Garland, Clark, Trump, James Comer, Biden, Biden's, Comer Organizations: Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Air Force, CNBC, NBC, U.S, Attorney, Prosecutors, Department, Justice, United States Attorney's Office, District of, Government, White, Biden DOJ, Hunter, DOJ, Kentucky Republican Locations: Syracuse , New York, U.S, Delaware, Malibu , California, District of Delaware

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