Special counsel David Weiss will appear before the House Judiciary Committee next month for a transcribed interview, two sources familiar with the matter told The Post.
Weiss, who is overseeing the federal investigation into first son Hunter Biden, will be interviewed by the panel of lawmakers during a closed-door session on Nov. 7, a rare appearance by a special counsel in front of Congress during an ongoing investigation.
Republican lawmakers investigating President Biden’s alleged involvement in his family’s extensive overseas business dealings feared that Weiss’ promotion to special counsel in the case in August would hamper congressional investigations into the Biden family.
The House Judiciary Committee, led by Chairman-designate Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), is one of three congressional panels leading the impeachment inquiry into the 80-year-old president, which seeks, in part, determine whether Biden abused his power. power and prevented the federal prosecution of his son.
The IRS whistleblowers allege that the Weiss investigation was hindered by Biden-appointed U.S. attorneys and the Justice Department. AP
Jordan, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), and House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (R-Mo.) have sought testimony from Weiss for months, demanding answers from the U.S. attorney in Delaware related to allegations raised by IRS whistleblowers. deeply involved in the Hunter Biden case.
IRS Special Agent Gary Shapley and Criminal Investigator Joseph Ziegler have alleged in sworn depositions and public testimony before Congress that the Hunter Biden investigation was hampered by preferential treatment and refusal of Biden-appointed U.S. attorneys in the Southern California and Washington, DC, to file Weiss-recommended Charges for nonpayment of foreign income taxes.
Jordan has sought testimony from Weiss for months.Getty Images
Weiss announced in June that Hunter would plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax offenses in Delaware and a felony weapons possession charge that would be expunged after two years of probation.
The plea deal collapsed in a Delaware court the following month after being reviewed by District Judge Maryellen Noreika.
Weiss was later granted special counsel authority by Attorney General Merrick Garland, and Hunter was indicted in September on three felony counts related to his 2018 gun purchase while addicted to crack cocaine.
The Jordan committee is one of three handling the impeachment inquiry into President Biden.AFP via Getty Images
Hunter pleaded not guilty to the charges earlier this month.
In July, before Weiss was named special counsel, the Justice Department had agreed to allow the prosecutor to testify before Congress.
“The Department is ready to offer U.S. Attorney Weiss to testify shortly after Congress returns from the August district work period,” reads a letter sent by Deputy Attorney General Carlos Felipe Uriarte to Jordan.
Jordan, Comer and Smith have threatened to issue subpoenas to force Weiss and other Justice Department officials to testify if they do not agree to participate in voluntary interviews.
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