U.S. Attorney General William Barr speaks at the Justice Department in Washington, March 5, 2020.
Outgoing U.S. Attorney General William Barr said Monday (Dec. 21) that he has no plans to appoint a special counsel to investigate Hunter Biden, the son of the Democratic presidential nominee.
Barr answered questions from the media at a news conference Monday about whether he plans to appoint a special counsel.
Barr said, “As far as the investigation is concerned, I think it’s being handled responsibly and professionally within the department at this point, and so far I haven’t seen a reason to appoint a special counsel, and I have no plans to do so until I leave.” Barr is expected to leave this week.
Last week, media outlets raised eyebrows when they quoted anonymous sources as saying that President Trump (Trump) was asking aides if a special counsel could be appointed to investigate Hunter Biden’s business insider contacts overseas. But Trump already said last Thursday (Dec. 17) that the news was fake news and clarified that he was not involved in the federal investigation of Hunter.
I have nothing to do with the possible indictment of Hunter Biden or the Biden family,” Trump tweeted. This is just more fake news. I actually find it upsetting to see (this)!”
Hunter was recently exposed for allegedly engaging in illegal business dealings in China, Ukraine and elsewhere during Biden’s tenure as vice president. Several senior lawmakers, including Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), are now calling on Barr to appoint a special counsel to investigate the former vice president’s son. The appointment of a special counsel would isolate the investigation against Hunter, making it difficult to interfere with or block his probe.
Biden’s team released a statement from Hunter last week, admitting that he himself is under investigation for taxes. In the statement, Hunter wrote: “I first learned yesterday, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Delaware informed my legal counsel yesterday, that they are investigating my tax affairs. I take this matter very seriously, but I am confident that a professional and objective review of these matters (by the prosecution) will demonstrate that I have handled my affairs legally and properly, including with the help of professional tax counsel.”
In an interview, Biden called the allegations against his son, who is being investigated by federal authorities, “foul play” and said he believes his son has done nothing wrong and has confidence in him. Biden told host Stephen Colbert, “Look, I have a lot of confidence in my son. I’m not worried about any of the allegations that are being made against him. It’s being used against me.”
“I think it’s a foul play, and you see that’s the truth. He’s a grown man. For intelligence alone, he’s the smartest man I know. As long as he’s good, we’re good.” Biden added.
Biden’s adviser, Sen. Chris Coons (D-Calif.), said over the weekend that Biden would not interfere with decisions made by senior leadership at the Justice Department.
In response, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said on Fox, “If he [Biden has confidence in his son], he should leave the federal prosecutors investigating Hunter Biden where they are.” He noted that most new presidents terminate federal prosecutors when they take office and hire new ones.
Paul said, “If the federal prosecutor is fired in the first few weeks of (the new administration) or if the investigation is handed over to a Biden appointee, I can tell you that the end is set and there will be no justice.”
The senator investigating Hunt’s case said Hunt had ties to foreign individuals with ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Newly disclosed emails also show that Joe Biden was involved in his son’s business dealings, with Hunter calling his father and a Chinese businessman “office mates” in the emails. Contrary to what a Biden spokesman said in October, the spokesman said Biden “never even considered being involved in business with his family, nor was he ever involved in any overseas business.
The spokesman added: “He (Biden) has never held stock in any such business arrangement, nor has any family member or anyone else held stock for him.”
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