The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Hunter Biden prosecutor David Weiss says Justice officials never blocked him

In rare testimony to Congress by a special counsel, the Delaware prosecutor defends the handling of the politically sensitive case

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Updated November 7, 2023 at 2:48 p.m. EST|Published November 7, 2023 at 6:00 a.m. EST
Special counsel David Weiss leaves a closed-door meeting with House lawmakers on Capitol Hill about the Hunter Biden investigation Tuesday. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)
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David Weiss, the federal prosecutor tapped to serve as special counsel investigating Hunter Biden, testified Tuesday behind closed doors to a House committee, telling lawmakers that he has had full authority over the case and has not been overruled at any point by other Justice Department officials.

It is highly unusual for the Justice Department to make a special counsel available for questioning by Congress before an investigation is complete. Weiss did so in large part to address lingering concerns raised by two IRS agents on the Biden case who earlier this year accused Weiss and other Justice Department officials of slow-walking their work. One of the agents said Weiss told him he wasn’t the decision-maker in the case.