Hunter Biden lawyer says special counsel naming was merely a title change. Was it?

WASHINGTON — Abbe Lowell, an attorney for Hunter Biden, said he had confidence “no new evidence” will turn up against his client, adding that the Department of Justice’s appointment of a special counsel to investigate President Joe Biden’s son changes little in the case other than a "new title."

“People should keep in mind that while Mr. Weiss’ title changed last week, he’s the same person he’s been for the last five years,” Lowell said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” “He’s a Republican U.S. attorney appointed by a Republican president and attorney general.”

“Nothing should change other than the fact that Mr. Weiss now has a new title,” Lowell added.

But it's not clear that's true, yet.

Attorney General Merrick Garland elevated U.S. attorney David Weiss to special counsel status last week in the criminal investigation into Hunter Biden, which signals a wider probe of the president's son. Weiss, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, has been investigating Hunter Biden for the past five years.

A plea deal between prosecutors and Hunter Biden’s legal team fell apart in July after a judge raised concerns about the agreement. The deal covered two misdemeanor tax charges and a gun charge but ultimately collapsed due to a disagreement between the two parties about whether Hunter Biden would be immune from future related charges.

Weiss hasn't confirmed how he plans to use his new role as special counsel, but the surprise move does mark a significant turn in the Justice Department's ongoing investigation of the president's son.

As special counsel, Weiss will not be subject to day-to-day supervision by the Justice Department and will produce a report to Garland on his findings at the conclusion of the investigation. And Weiss will also have the authority to bring charges in any federal court he chooses.

Shortly after the special counsel appointment, prosecutors filed a motion stating that the two sides are at an "impasse" and that the government expects the matter to go to trial.

The Justice Department is seeking to move the case to either a federal court in Washington or California, which prosecutors argue would be the appropriate venues for the alleged crimes.

And Garland, as he announced Weiss' appointment from the Justice Department headquarters, made clear the Hunter Biden investigation remains open.

Related: Hunter Biden investigation assured to hang over Joe Biden's 2024 campaign

But Lowell on Sunday still said he believed the investigation, considering it has spanned five years, would conclude with Hunter Biden’s remaining tax and gun charges.

“I’m confident that if this prosecutor does what has been done for the last five years, look at the facts, the evidence and the law, then the only conclusion can be what the conclusion was on July 26.” Lowell said. Any changes in the investigation would be heightened “scrutiny” on the existing charges against Hunter Biden, Lowell added.

Hunter Biden's attorneys aren't the only figures reacting to the special counsel approach. House Republicans have indicated the special counsel designation will not affect their congressional investigations into the overseas business dealings of Biden family members.

Contributing: Joey Garrison, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hunter Biden's lawyer says special counsel is a title change. Is it?