Who is David C Weiss? Special counsel investigating Hunter Biden case granted powers at par with Jack Smith
WASHINGTON, DC: Attorney General Merrick Garland has reportedly given the special counsel status to Donald Trump-appointed US Attorney for the District of Delaware, David C Weiss, amid the ongoing probe in Hunter Biden’s case, involving tax offenses, illegal posession of a firearm, and using illegal drugs.
Reports have said that Weiss has gotten the same level of power as independent prosecutor Jack Smith, who is investigates the 45th president.
During a press conference at the Department of Justice headquarters in Washington, DC, Garland said on Friday, August 11, that he took the decision after Weiss’ request. He continued citing the Delaware attorney, “In his judgment, his investigation has reached a stage at which he should continue his work.”
David C Weiss’ appointment was ‘in the public interest’
Garland went on to note that “it is in the public interest to appoint him as special counsel,” and Weiss will now be able to access “all the resources he requests”.
He also said that Weiss “has the authority he needs to conduct a thorough investigation and to continue to take the steps he needs independently,” before adding, “I am confident [he] will carry out his responsibility in an even-handed and urgent manner,” The Daily Beast reported.
Who is David C Weiss?
Weiss reportedly now has double responsibility of being the US Attorney for the District of Delaware as well as the special counsel in Hunter’s case. Before becoming the district attorney in 2018, he was the First Assistant United States Attorney.
Weiss’ career started as a law clerk to Justice Andrew D Christie of the Delaware Supreme Court in 1984 after graduating from Washington University in St Louis and Widener University School of Law. He also became an Assistant United States Attorney from 1986 through 1989.
The website of the United States Attorney’s Office District of Delaware states that Weiss “joined Duane Morris in 1989 and became a partner at the firm in 1993,” before joining “the Siegfried Group, a financial services firm, where he served as Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President.”
Why is the special counsel selected?
The Code of Federal Regulations explains that a special counsel is selected when “the Attorney General, or, the Acting Attorney General determines that criminal investigation of a person or matter is warranted and that investigation or prosecution of that person or matter by a United States Attorney's Office or litigating Division of the Department of Justice would present a conflict of interest for the Department or other extraordinary circumstances.”
“That under the circumstances, it would be in the public interest to appoint an outside Special Counsel to assume responsibility for the matter,” it adds.
What is the role of the special counsel?
The special counsel has the responsibility “to ensure both that the investigation will be conducted ably, expeditiously and thoroughly, and that investigative and prosecutorial decisions will be supported by an informed understanding of the criminal law and Department of Justice policies,” the Code of Federal Regulations mentions.