In a significant report released on Monday evening, Special Counsel David Weiss of the Department of Justice outlined the results of his investigation into allegations of criminal behavior involving Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden. The report, presented to Attorney General Merrick Garland, offered a critical examination of Hunter Biden’s tax evasion, firearms violations, and dubious business activities spanning an eleven-year period. Weiss, who was appointed as Special Counsel in 2023, conducted a thorough investigation into Hunter Biden’s financial and legal actions. The findings emphasize two instances where Hunter Biden faced legal action and was subsequently convicted—one for tax evasion and another for unlawfully possessing a firearm while being addicted to drugs.
Nevertheless, any potential for further prosecution was nullified when President Biden issued a broad pardon to his son on December 1, 2024, mere days before Hunter was set to be sentenced. This pardon has protected Hunter Biden from further legal consequences and has drawn criticism from Weiss. In his report, the Special Counsel remarked, “The President’s characterizations are incorrect based on the facts in this case, and, on a more fundamental level, they are wrong.” Weiss further accused the President of politicizing the justice system.
“While other presidents have pardoned family members, none have used the occasion to disparage public servants at the Department of Justice based solely on unfounded allegations,” the report asserted. “These prosecutions were the result of comprehensive, unbiased investigations, not political maneuvering. Eight judges across various courts have dismissed claims that these actions stemmed from selective or vindictive motives. Questioning those rulings and introducing partisanship into the independent enforcement of the law undermines the very principles that uphold the fairness and equity of America’s justice system. It diminishes public trust in an institution vital for maintaining the rule of law.”
The report illustrates a pattern of intentional and repeated misconduct by Hunter Biden, highlighting a four-year scheme of tax evasion in which he neglected to pay at least $1.4 million in federal taxes while earning over $7 million during that period. Weiss emphasized that these tax offenses were not simple mistakes but rather calculated actions to avoid payment, including the fraudulent classification of personal expenses—such as clothing and escort services—as business deductions. Additionally, serious concerns arose regarding Hunter Biden’s 2018 firearm acquisition, during which he falsely answered a federal background check by denying his drug use.
Weiss also addressed issues related to the Biden family’s business activities, although his report refrains from making further criminal referrals due to the pardon. He did, however, express concern over the implications of Hunter Biden utilizing his family name to obtain lucrative roles, including a position on the board of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma. In concluding his report, Weiss defended the integrity of his investigation against claims of bias, stating, “Regardless of whether Congressional Republicans attempted to influence the Executive Branch, there is no evidence that they were successful in doing so and, in any event, the Executive Branch prosecuting Defendant was at all relevant times (and still is) headed by Defendant’s father.”
