When asked about the Department of Justice’s handling of the Hunter Biden investigation, former Attorney General Bill Barr, who resigned in the final weeks of the administration led by President Donald Trump, stressed that actions can be deemed shameful even if they aren’t technically illegal.
While on “Face The Nation,” a CBS news program, Barr was repeatedly pressed about whether he thought the Hunter Biden case required the appointment of a special counsel.
“Instances can be deemed disgraceful without crossing into illegality, and yes, I do find it troubling the exploitation of one’s office in that manner, it seems,” Barr said. He went on to say that he believes a thorough inquiry into the subject is necessary to establish whether or not any illegal activities were taken before he steps down from his position in December 2020.
Barr drew attention to whistleblowers’ concerns, possibly alluding to the testimony of Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, who worked as IRS whistleblower agents, before Congress. An probe against the president’s son was purportedly hampered by the Biden Justice Department, as described by these agents. Barr claimed that Justice Department procedures may have provided valid reasons to delay some investigation actions before to the election, but that these reasons no longer appeared to apply following the outcome.
He cast doubt on the justification for putting off investigations until after the election, suggesting that it was done for political reasons. Barr stressed that the involvement of the president-elect’s son should not hamper the inquiry.
After being sworn in as U.S. Attorney General in March 2021, Merrick Garland nominated Jack Smith as Special Counsel in the Trump investigation in November 2022.
After U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika of Delaware rejected a plea offer that would have allowed Hunter Biden to receive merely probation, Barr made his comments. This settlement involved the president’s son and his suspected involvement in tax evasion, drug trafficking, and firearms violations. U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware David Weiss announced the settlement and pushed back against IRS whistleblowers’ assertions of political influence in the probe.
Defending the need for a conflict of interest in the appointment of a special counsel, Barr addressed the concept of a special counsel. He said he had no bias during his investigation into Hunter Biden. Barr said that Attorney General Garland would have been responsible for deciding whether a special counsel was required in the event of a conflict of interest.
Barr agreed with the House Republicans that a special counsel should have been appointed at some time, but he didn’t say if he thought it was still possible for Garland to select a special counsel at this juncture. He outlined the time constraints and the difficulties that would have to be overcome unless Weiss had worked hard on the case.
In addition, Barr stated that he would be willing to testify as a witness in the prosecution of former President Trump and the events of January 6, including claims of attempts to overthrow the 2020 election. Barr would not acknowledge his participation in Smith’s inquiry but did suggest that it was a big deal that Smith had been appointed to lead it. He then elaborated on why this particular instance does not run afoul of the First Amendment.