WASHINGTON (Reuters) – US Special Counsel David Weiss, who is leading the investigation into the president son He will appear on Tuesday for a closed-door interview with the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee, amid an impeachment inquiry into Biden.
Weiss is expected to walk back comments from two IRS tax agency informants, who say he told officials in a meeting that he did not have final authority in deciding whether to file charges as part of his investigation.
A Weiss spokesman said before the hearing: “Mr. Weiss is prepared to take this unprecedented step of testifying before the conclusion of his investigation to make clear that he had and continues to have full authority over his investigation and charges in any jurisdiction.” His appearance.
House Republicans claim the Justice Department improperly interfered in the investigation into Hunter Biden, whose run-ins with the law are a central focus of their impeachment inquiry into President Biden.
The White House denied any wrongdoing. Democrats say the impeachment inquiry is politically motivated.
The spokesman said that, in keeping with Justice Department policy, Weiss would not address specific details of his investigation.
Like all special counsel, Weiss will report back when his investigation is complete. It is not clear when this will happen.
At least nine current and former officials from the FBI, IRS and Justice Department have testified behind closed doors as part of lawmakers’ investigation.
Weiss has been heading the investigation into Hunter Biden since 2019. He was originally nominated during the administration of Republican President Donald Trump, and was allowed to remain in his position under Biden.
Weiss Hunter Biden, 53, was charged with felonies related to possession of a firearm while using illegal drugs. The president’s son said he was suffering from alcohol and cocaine addiction. The charges came after a plea agreement on misdemeanor criminal tax and weapons charges broke down.
The impeachment inquiry has been welcomed by Trump, who is the leading candidate for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination to face Biden again in the 2024 election. Trump was also the first US president to be impeached twice. The Senate acquitted him both times.
Trump faces four criminal indictments on charges related to his business activities, mishandling classified documents, and attempting to overturn the 2020 election.
It is not clear whether the full House of Representatives, controlled by a narrow 221-212 Republican majority, will support Biden’s impeachment.
(Reporting by McKinney Price; Additional reporting by Andrew Godward; Editing by Scott Malone and Jonathan Oatis)
