Garland appoints David Weiss as special counsel in Hunter Biden investigation

Attorney General Merrick Garland on Friday announced that U.S. Attorney David Weiss has been named special counsel in the ongoing federal investigation of Hunter Biden. Weiss has been involved in the investigation since 2019 and will now have the authority to decide "when, where and whether to file charges," according to Garland.

Video Transcript

MERRICK GARLAND: Good afternoon. I'm here today to announce the appointment of David Weiss as a special counsel, consistent with the Department of Justice regulations governing such matters. Beginning in 2019, Mr Weiss, in his capacity as US attorney, and along with federal law enforcement partners began investigating allegations of certain criminal conduct by, among others, Robert Hunter Biden. That investigation has been recently referenced in federal criminal proceedings in the District of Delaware and, as noted in those proceedings and other public statements by Mr Weiss' office, that investigation remains ongoing.

In February 2021, US Attorney Weiss was asked to remain as US attorney for the District of Delaware and, in that capacity, to continue to lead the investigation. As I said before, Mr. Weiss would be permitted to continue his investigation, take any investigative steps he wanted, and make the decision whether to prosecute in any district. Mr. Weiss has told Congress that he has been granted ultimate authority over this matter, including the responsibility for deciding where, when, and whether to file charges, and for making decisions necessary to preserve the integrity of any prosecution consistent with federal law, the principles of federal prosecution, and departmental policies.

In a July 23 letter to Congress, Mr. Weiss said that he had not to that point requested special counsel designation. On Tuesday of this week, Mr. Weiss advised me that, in his judgment, his investigation had reached a stage at which he could-- should continue his work as a special counsel and he asked to be so appointed. Upon considering his request, as well as the extraordinary circumstances relating to this matter, I have concluded that it is in the public interest to appoint him as special counsel.

This appointment confirms my commitment to provide Mr. Weiss all the resources he requests. It also reaffirms that Mr. Weiss has the authority he needs to conduct a thorough investigation and to continue to take the steps he deems appropriate independently, based only on the facts and the law. Consistent with the special counsel regulations, at the conclusion of Mr. Weiss' work, he will provide me with a report explaining the prosecution or declination decisions reached by him. As with each special counsel who has served since I have taken office, I am committed to making as much of his report public as possible, consistent with legal requirements and Department policy.