A growing number of House Republicans are pressuring Attorney General Merrick Garland to appoint a special counsel to investigate potential lawbreaking and corruption involving first son Hunter Biden because they don’t believe the Justice Department would be impartial.
According to , almost 100 House Republicans are now pressing Garland to appoint a special investigator to look into the presidential son’s business deals, suggesting they have all of the indicators of an influence-peddling scandal.
The outlet adds:
The letter led by Reps. Tom Rice (R-S.C.) and Jim Banks (R-Ind.), the chair of the House GOP Study Committee, comes as the U.S. attorney in Delaware enters his third year investigating Hunter Biden’s taxes, foreign lobbying and money movements. In all, 95 House GOP members signed the letter.
“It is increasingly clear that Hunter Biden took advantage of his father’s position as Vice President to develop business relationships with clients in Ukraine, China, and Kazakhstan,” the lawmakers wrote. “Hunter Biden likely facilitated lobbying for foreign entities through third-party channels without registering for the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
“It appears that Hunter Biden used his position as son of then-Vice President Biden to gain wealth and influence in foreign countries, using questionably sourced money to pay tax liabilities, and lobbying on behalf of foreign entities without proceeding through the proper channels,” .
“We are concerned that in the case of Hunter Biden the Department has an actual conflict of interest and certainly has the appearance of a conflict of interest that could prevent a fair and impartial investigation of his activities. You were nominated to your position by Hunter Biden’s father and ultimately work for him,” the letter notes.
The GOP lawmakers also said that Biden’s predecessor was investigated for much less.
“President Trump and his Administration endured closer scrutiny from the Department of Justice for lesser accusations. The then-Attorney General appointed a Special Counsel to investigate President Trump based on the Steele Dossier: a salacious and unverified political smear campaign,” they noted.
“It was argued then that a Special Counsel was necessary because the Department could not be seen to impartially investigate the sitting President. This same standard applies here,” said the letter.
“We believe that in the case of Hunter Biden a special counsel must be appointed to preserve the integrity of this investigation and any subsequent prosecution. A special counsel would also ensure there is no bias in the investigation or undue influence from the White House,” the lawmakers added.
“Trust in government institutions has eroded in recent years. You have the ability in this situation to help restore some of that trust for the American people,” said in closing.