Special Counsel David Weiss issued a scathing report on Monday criticizing President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, on December 1, 2024.
The report, obtained by Fox News Digital, marks the culmination of Weiss’s years-long investigation into Hunter Biden's alleged financial and firearm misconduct.
Weiss lambasted the presidential pardon, describing it as a move that unjustly criticized Justice Department officials and injected partisanship into an otherwise independent legal process.
Hunter Biden had faced serious legal challenges, including three felony firearm convictions and charges related to unpaid federal taxes amounting to $1.4 million.
Despite pleading guilty, the president’s decision to grant a “Full and Unconditional Pardon” sparked accusations of undermining the justice system.
The charges could have carried a prison sentence of up to 17 years.
Weiss noted in his report that the president’s public statements about the case further undermined the credibility of the Department of Justice.
A White House press release accompanying the pardon described the prosecution as "selective," "unfair," and “infected” by "raw politics."
Weiss condemned these remarks, calling them “gratuitous and wrong” and accusing President Biden of using false claims to discredit career prosecutors.
“No previous president has used a pardon to malign public servants with baseless accusations,” Weiss wrote.
Judge Mark Scarsi, who presided over the case, also voiced his disapproval.
“The Constitution grants the president broad authority to issue pardons but does not permit rewriting history,” Scarsi said.
Weiss emphasized that the investigation and prosecution were conducted impartially, noting that eight judges across multiple jurisdictions had upheld the legitimacy of the process.
“By casting doubt on these rulings, the president has eroded public trust in the justice system,” Weiss wrote.
The special counsel added that the pardon makes it “inappropriate” to consider any additional charges against Hunter Biden.
Weiss’s investigation began in 2018 and gained national attention when whistleblowers from the IRS claimed political interference had tainted the case.
IRS agents Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler testified before Congress in 2023, alleging that Weiss had requested special counsel authority to shield the investigation from political influence.
Their testimony revealed that Attorney General Merrick Garland had appointed Weiss as special counsel after facing intense scrutiny over the handling of the case.
Weiss, however, defended the integrity of his office and denied any claims of partisanship.
“These prosecutions were the result of thorough investigations, not political vendettas,” Weiss stated in his report.
President Biden’s decision to pardon his son contradicts earlier promises to maintain a hands-off approach to the Justice Department’s work.
“From the day I took office, I vowed not to interfere with the Department of Justice’s decisions, and I have kept that promise,” Biden said in a public statement.
The president argued that the pardon was necessary to protect his family from what he described as a politically motivated campaign.
“Hunter has been unfairly targeted for years, and this pardon is a reflection of my commitment to justice and family,” Biden said.
He added that the public should understand the difficult decision a father and president had to make.
Hunter Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, issued a statement criticizing Weiss’s report.
“David Weiss conveniently omits key facts, including his initial proposal to resolve this case with minor charges,” Lowell said.
He accused Weiss of reneging on prior agreements and pursuing baseless conspiracy theories to prolong the investigation.
The Justice Department and Special Counsel Weiss declined to comment further.
Critics argue that the pardon sets a dangerous precedent, eroding confidence in the impartiality of the justice system.
Republicans, in particular, have seized on the controversy to question the administration’s integrity.
“President Biden’s actions raise serious concerns about accountability and transparency,” said Rep. Jim Jordan.
Legal experts warn that the fallout from the pardon could impact public perception of the Justice Department for years to come.
“This situation underscores the delicate balance between presidential authority and public trust,” said former U.S. Attorney Andy McCarthy.
As the dust settles, questions linger about the long-term implications of Biden’s controversial decision.
Weiss’s report serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing America’s criminal justice system in an era of heightened political division.
For now, the debate over Hunter Biden’s pardon continues to fuel a polarized national conversation.
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