Justice Department Report Critiques Biden's Pardon of Hunter Biden

On Monday, the Justice Department made public a final report created by special counsel David Weiss, who previously charged Hunter Biden with various gun and tax offenses before President Joe Biden pardoned him. Weiss asserted that the president's remarks regarding the prosecution of his son, which were characterized as a “miscarriage of justice,” distorted the reality of the situation and tarnished the reputation of dedicated officials within the Justice Department due to what he described as “false accusations.”

President Biden's statements on this case have raised concerns about the potential harm to public trust in the criminal justice system, particularly when politicians critique the actions of career prosecutors. Weiss emphasized that Biden's comments could unfairly damage the credibility of not only the Department of Justice but also the broader group of public servants working diligently to make tough decisions.

In early September, Biden pardoned his son right before Hunter was set to face a sentence for violating a federal law concerning the possession of firearms by drug users. Despite previously asserting he wouldn’t issue a pardon for his son, Biden's actions contradicted his earlier promises during his 2024 campaign.

Hunter Biden's attorney, Abbe Lowell, responded to Weiss' report by indicating that it failed to mention a proposed resolution to the investigation, which involved a couple of misdemeanor charges and a diverted gun charge that career prosecutors had recommended. Lowell contended that Weiss did not adequately address why the investigation lingered on unfounded conspiracies, suggesting that the case against Hunter Biden exemplifies potential misuse of prosecutorial authority.

David Weiss, who received bipartisan approval as the U.S. attorney in Delaware during Donald Trump's presidency, continued his service at the Justice Department under the Biden administration. In 2023, he was appointed as a special counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland. Additionally, a report related to Jack Smith's investigation into Donald Trump's post-election conduct is anticipated from the Justice Department in the near future.