DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ 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

☆ Special counsel appointed in Hunter Biden case
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Justin Porter | More About Justin Porter | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Attorney General Merrick Garland elevated David Weiss, the federal prosecutor investigating President Biden’s son Hunter, to special counsel status. It was a stunning reversal for Garland, who last month had brushed off the idea of appointing Weiss to the role. Shortly after, prosecutors said that they’d reached an impasse with defense lawyers over a plea deal that would have settled tax and gun charges against Hunter Biden. Weiss said in court papers the case “will not resolve short of a trial.”The appointment all but ensures that a yearslong investigation into Hunter Biden’s conduct — including his foreign business dealings, drug use and taxes — will continue. While Donald Trump, the Republican front-runner, will be dogged by criminal cases as he campaigns, President Biden will have to worry about a separate special counsel investigation into classified documents, and whether the case against his son will become more serious.

Persons: Merrick Garland, David Weiss, Biden’s, Hunter, Garland, Weiss, they’d, Hunter Biden, ”, Hunter Biden’s, Donald Trump, Biden Organizations: Republican

☆ Hunter Biden's plea deal is dead as the DOJ appoints a special counsel to oversee its investigation
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Hunter Biden's legal troubles just got a whole lot worse. Meanwhile, Biden's plea deal for tax crimes and a gun charge has collapsed. The surprise announcement came as federal prosecutors suggested that a plea deal with the president's son is now effectively dead after a Trump-appointed judge refused to accept it. Many in the GOP are still furious over Weiss' role in Hunter Biden's now-potentially dead plea deal. "'[T]he parties are at an impasse and are not in agreement on either a plea agreement or a diversion agreement," prosecutors wrote in the court filing.

Persons: Hunter, General Merrick Garland, Biden's, Hunter Biden, David Weiss, Trump, Joe Biden's, Garland, Weiss, DOJ's Hunter Biden, Biden, Jack Smith, Donald Trump's, Robert Hur, Bill Barr, Robert Mueller, Barr, Hunter Biden's, Judge Maryellen Noreika Organizations: Service, Justice Department, Trump, Obama, GOP Locations: Wall, Silicon

☆ Why Naming Weiss Special Counsel in the Hunter Biden Case Isn’t Likely to Change Much
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Charlie Savage | More About Charlie Savage | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

That means making Mr. Weiss a special counsel may be more of a cosmetic gesture — essentially formalizing what has already been the case — than a new reality. The attorney general’s move came against the backdrop of accusations by Republicans that Mr. Weiss had offered what they portrayed as a sweetheart plea bargain to the younger Mr. Biden because of political manipulations by Mr. Garland or by the White House. Functionally, the formalization of Mr. Weiss’s independence could serve as a shield against such accusations. A special counsel is a prosecutor who wields the same powers as a U.S. attorney but is granted broader day-to-day independence from supervision. In making the announcement, Mr. Garland reminded the public that he had already said Mr. Weiss, who was appointed by President Trump, was operating outside the normal system of hierarchical oversight and control for the Hunter Biden case.

Persons: General Merrick B, David Weiss, Biden’s, Hunter, Garland, Weiss, general’s, Biden, President Trump, Hunter Biden Organizations: Trump, White House Locations: Delaware, U.S

☆ 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

☆ Trump-appointee David Weiss named special counsel in Hunter Biden probe as DOJ calls for trial
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Amanda Macias | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. Attorney David Weiss holds a press conference Thursday, May 3, 2018, at his district office in Wilmington, Del. WASHINGTON — U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced on Friday that David Weiss, the federal prosecutor in Delaware who has led the criminal investigation of President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, will be appointed special counsel in the case. Garland said that Weiss, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump to become a U.S. Attorney in 2018, asked earlier this week to be named special counsel. At nearly the same time Garland was announcing the special counsel investigation of the president's son, federal prosecutors revealed in new court filings that they had reached an "impasse" in plea negotiations with Hunter Biden's lawyers. "The Government now believes that the case will not resolve short of a trial," they wrote in a federal filing in Delaware.

Persons: David Weiss, General Merrick Garland, Joe Biden's, Hunter Biden, Garland, Weiss, Donald Trump, Hunter Biden's Organizations: Department of Justice Locations: Wilmington, Del . WASHINGTON — U.S, Delaware, U.S

☆ 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

☆ 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

The White House has said Biden was never in business with his son. "Republicans may have to find something else to criticize me for now that inflation is coming down. "Workers who have been left behind for decades aren't just finding jobs, more jobs, they're finding better jobs, with higher pay," Biden said. Biden detailed decades of job loss in Maine, as the state's historical industries, including textiles and paper, shut factories for lower-cost destinations. Several Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives met at the White House on Friday to discuss implementing the $1 trillion infrastructure bill that Biden has signed into law.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kevin McCarthy, Biden, Hunter Biden, David Weiss of, Jonathan Ernst Biden's, Donald Trump, Ronald Reagan, Steny Hoyer, Jarrett Renshaw, Trevor Hunnicutt, Steve Holland, Leslie Adler, Heather Timmons, Deepa Babington Organizations: Republican, Republicans, U.S, Trump, White, Workers, Auburn Manufacturing Inc, FOCUS, Auburn Manufacturing, REUTERS, Federal Reserve, Auburn, Democratic, U.S . House, Thomson Locations: AUBURN, Maine, Washington, David Weiss of Delaware, U.S, Auburn , Maine, Auburn, Maine’s, New England

☆ Opinion: Judge’s rejection of Hunter Biden’s plea deal vindicates Republicans
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Opinion W. James Antle Iii | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

On Wednesday, the GOP position on Hunter Biden received vindication from US District Judge Maryellen Noreika, who rejected an “unusual” plea bargain the Department of Justice had offered him. Noreika had been asked to approve to a plea deal that would have spared the president’s son prison. Hunter Biden is one reason Trump is able to survive, even thrive, under circumstances that would have felled almost any other candidate. But the voters who will decide the next GOP presidential nominee are not wrong in thinking that something about Hunter Biden’s treatment doesn’t sit right. Republican voters believe Hunter Biden is getting off with a slap on the wrist while their favored candidate is the one being hunted.

Persons: James Antle III, Hunter Biden’s, James Antle, Joe Biden’s, Donald Trump, Hunter Biden, Maryellen Noreika, Noreika, couldn’t, Joe Biden, wasn’t, Biden, he’s, It’s, Kevin McCarthy, Trump, Jack Smith, Ron DeSantis, Hunter, Hillary Clinton, John Durham, Durham, “, ” Durham, ”, Joseph Ziegler, David Weiss, Weiss, Nixon’s Organizations: Washington Examiner, CNN —, Republican, Republicans, GOP, of Justice, Trump, Democratic, Justice Department, Florida Gov, Intelligence, FBI, DOJ, IRS, CNN, Twitter, Facebook Locations: New York, Iowa, Hampshire, Russia, Trump

☆ Hunter Biden judge says can't accept plea deal in surprise turn
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Jack Queen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

His leading rival, former President Donald Trump, and Trump's Republican allies in Congress had criticized the deal as unfairly favoring the president's son. She said she did not want to "rubber stamp" a plea deal. White House spokesperson Karine Jeane-Pierre said the president supported his son, adding, "Hunter Biden is a private citizen and this was a personal matter for him." U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has denied allegations of special treatment and said Weiss was given full autonomy to investigate Hunter Biden. Hunter Biden has worked as a lobbyist, lawyer, consultant, investment banker and artist.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Hunter Biden's, Donald Trump, Maryellen Noreika, Hunter, Hunter Biden, Biden, Chris Clark, Noreika, David Weiss of, Trump, Weiss, Karine Jeane, Pierre, General Merrick Garland, Hunter Biden’s, Jack Queen, Trevor Hunnicutt, Scott Malone, Noeleen Walder, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Republican, U.S, Trump, Biden, Thomson Locations: WILMINGTON , Delaware, Ukraine, China, David Weiss of Delaware, New York, Florida

☆ Hunter Biden and prosecutors agree to 'more limited' plea deal - CNN
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Jack Queen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WILMINGTON, Delaware, July 26 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden and prosecutors agreed to a more limited plea deal over Biden's failure to pay income taxes after a previous agreement fell apart earlier on Wednesday, CNN reported. CNN reported that the deal fell apart due to ongoing investigations into potential violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). Under the more limited deal, it appears that prosecutors could still charge the younger Biden on unrelated issues, CNN reported. Hunter Biden did not pay taxes on more than $1.5 million in income in 2017 and 2018 despite owing more than $100,000, prosecutors allege. News of the plea deal in June sparked accusations of favorable treatment for the president’s son from Trump and his Republican allies, who have for years accused the younger Biden of influence-peddling abroad, among other things.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Hunter Biden, Biden, David Weiss of, Trump, Weiss, Jack Queen, Trevor Hunnicutt, Scott Malone, Noeleen Walder, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: CNN, Bloomberg, Twitter, Foreign, Republicans, U.S, Trump, Republican, Biden, Thomson Locations: WILMINGTON , Delaware, Delaware, Ukraine, China, David Weiss of Delaware

☆ Hunter Biden set to plead guilty to tax charges
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Jack Queen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WILMINGTON, Delaware, July 26 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden is set to plead guilty on Wednesday to two misdemeanor charges of willfully failing to pay income taxes, part of a deal that allows him to avert conviction on a gun-related charge. The younger Biden did not pay taxes on more than $1.5 million in income in 2017 and 2018 despite owing more than $100,000, prosecutors allege. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has denied allegations of special treatment and said Weiss was given full autonomy to investigate Hunter Biden. Hunter Biden has worked as a lobbyist, lawyer, consultant, investment banker and artist. The tax charges could carry a sentence of up to 18 months, but legal experts say Hunter Biden is unlikely to face prison time because he has no prior criminal history and has accepted responsibility for his actions.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Hunter Biden, Biden, Donald Trump, David Weiss of, Trump, Weiss, General Merrick Garland, Hunter Biden’s, Jack Queen, Scott Malone, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Democratic, Republican, U.S, Trump, Biden, Thomson Locations: WILMINGTON , Delaware, Delaware, Ukraine, China, David Weiss of Delaware, New York, Florida

☆ You’d Go to Prison for What Hunter Biden Did
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Eileen J. O Connor | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Review and Outlook: Under oath, IRS agents Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler say their attempt to investigate Hunter Biden faced unprecedented meddling from the Justice Department. Will Attorney General Merrick Garland and Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss respond? Images: Bloomberg News/Getty Images Composite: Mark KellyWhile the U.S. attorney for Delaware was negotiating for Hunter Biden to plead to two misdemeanor tax charges, other things were happening in neighboring New Jersey. Last week U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler sentenced Gabriel M. Ferrari, owner of a Linden auto-repair shop, to one year and one day in prison after Mr. Ferrari pleaded guilty to filing a false company tax return. In addition to the prison term, he will be required to pay restitution.

Persons: Gary Shapley, Joseph Ziegler, Hunter Biden, General Merrick Garland, David Weiss, Mark Kelly, District Judge Stanley R, Chesler, Gabriel M, Ferrari Organizations: Justice Department, Will, Delaware U.S, Bloomberg, U.S, District Locations: Delaware, U.S, New Jersey

Hunter Biden, appearing in court wearing a dark suit and sporting slicked back hair, appeared agitated and worried as the plea deal began to unravel. She said she has “concerns about the constitutionality” of the gun deal because it might violate separation of powers principles. Noreika also has the ultimate decision on what sentence Hunter Biden will receive if a plea deal is accepted or he is tried and convicted. “At least there is some scrutiny going on,” Texas Rep. Chip Roy told CNN in reaction to the Hunter Biden plea deal being refined. GOP Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio credited IRS whistleblowers critical of the investigation for the collapse of a plea deal, although the issue did not come up during a hearing.

Persons: Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, Hunter, Maryellen Noreika –, Donald Trump, Senate Democrats –, Noreika, Hunter Biden’s, Chris Clark, FARA, ” Noreika, isn’t, –, plop, couldn’t, Judge Maryellen Noreika, Bill Hennessy, Will DOJ’s, Justice Department’s, “, Chip Roy, Delaware’s Trump, David Weiss, Jim Jordan, Weiss, Jordan Organizations: CNN, US, Senate Democrats, Justice Department, Justice, ” Texas, GOP, Committee Locations: FARA, Wilmington , Delaware, Ohio

☆ 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

☆ Hunter Biden's plea deal just collapsed in court
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Haven Orecchio-Egresitz | Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Hunter Biden's plea deal with federal prosecutors fell apart at the last minute in a court hearing Wednesday. Wise said the plea deal wouldn't cover other potential crimes. At that point, according to the Times, Biden's lawyer said the plea agreement was "null and void." After news of the charges in June, Biden's attorneys said the plea would resolve the Justice Department's investigation into his conduct. On Tuesday, Republican Rep. Jason Smith of Missouri, the chairman of the powerful House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee, tried to intervene in the proceedings by asking the judge to reject the plea deal.

Persons: Hunter, Maryellen Noreika, Leo Wise, Biden, David Weiss, Wise, Biden's, Hunter Biden, —, Donald Trump, Weiss, Jason Smith of, Trump, Latham & Watkins, Smith, Ted Kittila, Jessica Bengels Organizations: New York Times, Prosecutors, Times, Department, Justice Department, The Heritage Foundation, Republican, Latham & Locations: Delaware, Wilmington , Delaware, Europe, Asia, Jason Smith of Missouri

☆ Hunter Biden plea deal on tax crimes in peril over gun charge dispute
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, arrives at federal court to plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges of willfully failing to pay income taxes in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S., July 26, 2023. The 53-year-old Biden initially appeared in U.S. District Court in Wilmington, Delaware, to enter his guilty plea a month after federal prosecutors first revealed the criminal tax charges against him. His attorneys reached a separate pretrial diversion agreement with prosecutors on an unrelated firearms charge, court filings showed. Prosecutors said the agreements on the tax and gun charges were distinct, but during the hearing, Hunter Biden said he wouldn't agree to plead guilty to the tax charges without the diversion program and dismissal of gun charges, per NBC. They have also raised concerns about allegations from whistleblowers that Weiss had sought authority to charge Biden with broader charges than the ones that were ultimately made public.

Persons: Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, Hunter Biden's, Joe Biden's, Biden, Maryellen Noreika, Donald Trump, Noreika, it's, David Weiss, Weiss, Jim Jordan Organizations: NBC News, Prosecutors, NBC, Department of Justice, Department, Biden, The, DOJ, Republicans Locations: Wilmington , Delaware, U.S, Ohio

☆ Hunter Biden to plead guilty to federal tax crimes on Wednesday
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Marshall Cohen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

As part of the plea agreement, Justice Department prosecutors are expected to recommend a sentence of probation for the president’s son. While the investigation was ongoing, Hunter Biden fully paid his federal tax bill, along with interest and penalties, his lawyers have previously said. Federal investigators also looked into Hunter Biden’s unpaid taxes and lavish spending, which came amid a struggle with addiction. In a late twist, the judge threatened to sanction Hunter Biden’s lawyers over the matter. House Republicans have zeroed in on Hunter Biden’s finances as part of their broader oversight probes into the Biden family.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Hunter Biden, Maryellen Noreika –, Donald Trump, Hunter, Joe Biden, David Weiss, Hunter Biden’s, Jason Smith, Trump, Biden, Weiss, General Merrick Garland, –, ’, “, Garland, They’ve, ” Organizations: Delaware CNN, Justice Department, Senate, CNN, White House, -, Trump, Republican, GOP, House Republicans Locations: Wilmington, Delaware, Wilmington , Delaware, politicization

☆ Top US Republican McCarthy ponders Biden impeachment probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( David Morgan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"What is happening right now are the committees of jurisdiction are continuing to investigate," House Speaker Kevin McCarthy told reporters. McCarthy spoke to reporters a day before Hunter Biden was expected to plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges of willfully failing to pay income taxes and to enter into an agreement that could avert a conviction on a gun-related charge. Among other allegations, Republicans claim that the Justice Department intervened to restrain the Hunter Biden probe, though the Trump-appointed prosecutor in that case has said he was not constrained. House Republicans have sought to defend Trump against allegations of wrongdoing by accusing Biden of "weaponizing" the Justice Department against the leading 2024 Republican White House candidate. "There is no evidence of Joe or Hunter Biden interfering with Ukrainian politics, and there never has been," Parnas said in a July 18 letter to the House Oversight Committee.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Hunter Biden, Kevin McCarthy, Karine Jean, Pierre, He's, Jean, impeaching Biden, Donald Trump, McCarthy, Trump, REBUTS, David Weiss, Weiss, Lindsey Graham, Trump's, Lev Parnas, Rudy Giuliani, Joe, Parnas, David Morgan, Steve Holland, Scott Malone, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Republican, U.S . Congress, Democratic, White, Justice Department, House Republicans, Trump, Republican White House, Internal Revenue, Department, New, New York City, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, New York, Ukrainian, American, Russian

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 makes most direct impeachment threat against Biden
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Jedd Rosche | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Speaker Kevin McCarthy suggested that House Republicans may be approaching the point where they’d pursue an impeachment investigation into President Joe Biden, the California Republican’s most explicit threat of impeaching the president to date. McCarthy’s comments come amid a series of congressional investigations in the Republican-led House that have targeted Biden, his administration and his family members – most prominently his son Hunter. Hunter Biden has agreed to plead guilty to two federal tax misdemeanors as part of a plea deal. House Republicans have also floated possible impeachment inquiries against Garland and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Republican allegations of political interference in the Hunter Biden probe have been met with adamant denials from Weiss, Garland and other top Justice Department officials who were involved.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Joe Biden, “ We’ve, Hannity, ” McCarthy, Fox News ’ Sean Hannity, McCarthy’s, Biden, –, Hunter, David Weiss, Donald Trump, Weiss, General Merrick Garland, Hunter Biden, “, ”, Ian Sams, Garland, Alejandro Mayorkas, Lauren Boebert, impeaching Biden, McCarthy, Jim Jordan of Organizations: CNN, Republicans, Fox News, Republican, House Republicans, Hunter Biden, GOP, Homeland, Trump, Justice Department, Committee, GOP Rep Locations: California, Colorado, Jim Jordan of Ohio

Trump spoke Tuesday with both House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, who leads the House GOP’s messaging efforts, according to multiple sources familiar with the conversation. Firebrand GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia has previously called for similar action. Despite Trump facing the potential of a third criminal indictment, several House Republicans made clear they would support the former president no matter what. “Donald Trump’s the leader of our party, and Donald Trump is going to be Joe Biden in 2024 for a second time.”Nehls accused the “far left” of having a “severe crush on this guy.”“They have a crush on Donald Trump. Because Donald Trump will win in 2024 and the left just they’re scared shitless,” he said.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Kevin McCarthy, Elise Stefanik, ”, Jack Smith, McCarthy, Stefanik, Smith, Matt Gaetz, Trump’s, Marjorie Taylor Greene, ” Gaetz, Byron Donalds of, Smith “, Jim Jordan, they’ve, Jordan, There’s, Joe Biden, Hunter, Merrick Garland, David Weiss, Marc Molinaro, “ We’re, I’ve, “, Mitch McConnell –, –, McConnell, Troy Nehls, ” Nehls, “ Donald Trump’s, shitless, Tim Burchett, he’s, ” Burchett, Ralph Norman of, ” Norman, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, House GOP, GOP, Trump, Capitol, Firebrand, Marjorie Taylor Greene of, Representatives, Caucus, Department of Justice, Democratic, Justice Department, Hunter Biden, Republicans, Republican, Texas Rep, Tennessee, DOJ Locations: strategize, Manhattan, Florida, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Byron Donalds of Florida, New York, Ralph Norman of South Carolina

☆ How Trump turned the ‘law and order party’ into an enemy of the FBI
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Trump has pleaded not guilty in the classified documents case and in another prosecution in New York related to a hush money payment to an adult film star. “President Trump endured an unprecedented raid at his home in Mar-a-Lago. (A special counsel is still investigating classified documents found in Biden’s possession, while the Justice Department closed a case on the possible mishandling of documents found at Pence’s Indiana home.) Ron DeSantis and other Republicans have promised a comprehensive gutting of the FBI, Justice Department and other government agencies in response to what they claim is a wholesale effort to stop Trump winning the 2024 election. Some independent investigations looking at the Trump era have found wrongdoing or mistakes in the FBI.

Persons: Donald Trump pulsated, Christopher Wray, –, Wray, Biden, that’s, Wray’s, James Comey, Hillary Clinton, ”, George W, Harriet Hageman, Liz Cheney, Cheney, Jerrold Nadler, Justice Department –, Trump, Hunter Biden, Wesley Hunt, Biden didn’t, Biden’s, ” Hunt, Mike Pence, “, ” Wray, Jim Jordan –, Trump –, ” Jordan, Ron DeSantis, Richard Nixon, Comey, Matt Gaetz, DeSantis, Chris Wray, There’ll, ” DeSantis, Trey Gowdy, J, Edgar Hoover –, John Durham, William Barr, ’, Barr, David Weiss –, “ Weiss, COWARD, Bill Barr, ” Trump, didn’t Organizations: CNN, Republican, Trump, Democrats, FBI, Judiciary, Bush’s, Department, Wyoming Rep, Rep, Justice Department, GOP, Biden, Texas Republican, Pence’s Indiana, The Biden, Florida Gov, Justice, White, NBC, Fox News, DOJ, Committee, Foreign Intelligence, Delaware US Locations: Wyoming, York, New York, Moscow, Florida, Mar, Pence’s, Delaware, Ohio, Rehoboth , Delaware, Trump, Russia, Ukraine, United States, Durham

☆ Hunter Biden prosecutor says Justice Dept didn't interfere in probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Sarah N. Lynch | Thomson Reuters | Sarah N. Lynch Is The Lead Reporter For Reuters Covering The U.S. Justice Department Out Of Washington | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"I have not requested Special Counsel designation," wrote Weiss, who was appointed by Republican former President Donald Trump. Weiss' office last month revealed that it was charging Hunter Biden with two misdemeanor tax charges, to which the president's son is expected to plead guilty later this month. Hunter Biden also has agreed to enter into a pretrial diversion program to avoid facing a more serious felony count of possessing a firearm while he was using illegal drugs. Their criticism has been fueled in part by claims from Gary Shapley, an IRS criminal supervisory agent who worked on the Hunter Biden investigation. Hunter Biden's attorney has also denied that his client received any special treatment.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Hunter, David Weiss, Lindsey Graham, General Merrick Garland, Hunter Biden, Weiss, Donald Trump, Gary Shapley, Shapley, Trump, Garland, Sarah N, Lynch, Scott Malone, Peter Graff Organizations: U.S, Justice Department, Internal Revenue Service, Delaware U.S, Republican, Attorney, D.C, Thomson Locations: Delaware, Washington, California

Search resuls for: "David Weiss"

25 mentions found