Special Counsel Weiss Challenges Biden’s Pardon of Hunter Biden

FIRST ON FOX: Special Counsel David Weiss has publicly criticized President Joe Biden’s portrayal of the investigation into Hunter Biden in a detailed report following a lengthy inquiry. Weiss asserts that the president’s statements were “wrong” and unjustly harmed the reputation of Justice Department officials. He acknowledged that Biden’s decision to issue a presidential pardon made it inappropriate to evaluate any potential new charges against Hunter Biden.

The Report: A Closer Look

Fox News Digital has obtained Weiss’s comprehensive report, which was submitted to Congress late Monday evening. In it, Weiss admonishes President Biden for issuing a “Full and Unconditional Pardon” to his son on December 1, 2024, a decision that encompasses nearly eleven years of Hunter Biden’s conduct, including actions that resulted in his convictions.

Hunter Biden was convicted on three felony firearm offenses stemming from the probe led by Weiss. Additionally, he faced federal tax charges related to failure to pay over .4 million in taxes. He unexpectedly entered a guilty plea prior to his trial. His sentencing, originally set for December 16, was effectively nullified when his father pardoned him on all counts.

A Questionable Pardon

In the report, Weiss condemned both the pardon and a public statement issued by the President, which characterized the prosecution as “selective,” “unfair,” “tainted by raw politics,” and a “miscarriage of justice.” Weiss described the public announcement as “gratuitous and wrong.” He noted that while previous presidents have pardoned family members, none had used the occasion to undermine the integrity of public servants within the Department of Justice based on inaccurate claims.

“These prosecutions were the culmination of thorough, impartial investigations, not partisan politics,” Weiss emphasized in his report. He cited multiple judicial rulings, all of which dismissed assertions of selective or vindictive justice. “Eight judges across numerous courts have rejected claims that they were the result of selective or vindictive motives,” he stated.

Implications for the Justice System

Weiss further noted that the President’s remarks threatened to damage the very foundation of public trust in the justice system. “Calling those rulings into question and injecting partisanship into the independent administration of the law undermines the very foundation of what makes America’s justice system fair and equitable,” he wrote. He expressed concern that such comments would erode confidence in the essential workings of the justice system.

Investigatory Timeline

The investigation into Hunter Biden originated in November 2018, but it gained renewed scrutiny in 2023 when IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler testified before Congress. They alleged that political considerations had influenced prosecutorial decisions in the Hunter Biden investigation, which Weiss, a Trump appointee, was leading. Following their testimonies, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Weiss as Special Counsel to continue the inquiry, resulting in federal charges against the first son across two jurisdictions: Delaware and California.

Judicial Commentary

In his report, Weiss quoted Judge Mark C. Scarsi, who remarked, “The Constitution provides the President with broad authority to grant reprieves and pardons … but nowhere does the Constitution give the President the authority to rewrite history.” This critique underlines the delicate boundaries of presidential power and the potential impacts on the judiciary’s independence.

Biden’s Justification

Despite the mounting criticism, President Biden defended his decision to pardon his son, who he claimed has shown determination in overcoming personal challenges. “From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making,” Biden stated. “I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted.” Biden expressed his belief that the attacks on his son were part of a broader effort to undermine their family.

The presidential pardon, announced in December 2024, encompasses any offenses Hunter Biden may have committed between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024. Biden added, “There has been an effort to break Hunter—who has been five and a half years sober, even in the face of unrelenting attacks and selective prosecution. In trying to break Hunter, they’ve tried to break me—and there’s no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough.”

Final Thoughts

Weiss’s report serves as a critical reflection on the implications of political action on the justice system, highlighting how presidential decisions can create a ripple effect that undermines public trust. His denunciation of Biden’s actions provides a rare glimpse into the complexities at the intersection of law, politics, and personal allegiance within the highest echelons of power.

As the findings are discussed in political and legal circles, the ongoing narrative surrounding Hunter Biden continues to unfold, with significant attention being paid to the repercussions for both the Biden administration and the integrity of the American legal system.