Special Counsel David Weiss, who prosecuted Hunter Biden, has strongly criticised President Joe Biden’s remarks about the legal cases against his son. In a final report released on Monday, Weiss termed Biden’s comments as ‘’gratuitous and wrong,’’ maintaining that they undermine the rule of law and public trust in the justice system.
Weiss charged Hunter Biden for lying about his drug use while purchasing a gun in 2018 and for avoiding taxes on $1.4 million. However, Joe Biden pardoned his son in December, citing political interference in the cases, Weiss defended his decision and independence of his investigation.
Weiss underlined that the criticism received by the president endangers the foundation of America’s judicial system. ‘’It erodes public confidence in an institution that is significant to preserve the rule of law,’’ he stated in his report. The final report also highlights the defense of the legal process in Hunter Biden’s cases. It contains details on how the charges were pursued despite a failed plea agreement in 2023.
Hunter Biden was sentenced on gun charges and later pleaded guilty to tax offenses after the federal prosecutors filed cases against him in Los Angeles and Delaware. The plea deal which could have spared Biden from prison collapsed under investigation by a federal judge.
The Republican lawmakers have criticised Biden’s foreign business dealings and have alleged preferential treatment in his cases. His legal issues have been the focal point for the Republicans. Meanwhile, Hunter’s legal team has blamed Weiss for surrendering to political pressure, leading to indictments that carried harsher penalties in comparison to typical federal cases on similar issues.
Weiss began investigating Biden during the Trump administration, and maintained his stance by stating, ‘’I prosecuted the two cases against Mr. Biden because he broke the law.’’
(With inputs from AP)