Attorney general appoints a special counsel in Hunter Biden probe, deepening investigation

Lindsay Whitehurst and Lisa Mascaro / AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel Friday in the Hunter Biden probe, a surprise move that intensifies the investigation into the president’s son ahead of the 2024 election.

Garland noted the “extraordinary circumstances” of the matter as he named David Weiss, the U.S. attorney in Delaware who had already been probing Hunter Biden’s financial dealings, as special counsel after plea deal talks in the case broke down.

The sudden turn of events raises fresh questions about the case against Hunter Biden on tax evasion and a gun charge, deepening an investigation that was close to resolution just weeks ago. Weiss had asked to be named special counsel, gaining broad authority to investigate and report out his findings.

It comes as the Justice Department has taken the unprecedented step of indicting former President Donald Trump, who’s President Joe Biden’s chief rival in next year’s election, in two separate cases. It also puts questions about Biden’s family at the forefront of the 2024 presidential election.

Federal Judge Issues New Rules for Trump Ahead of His Trial 

Sarah Arnold / Townhall Tipsheet

 

The federal judge overseeing former President Trump's case regarding his alleged involvement in the attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election has issued a protective order limiting the use and disclosure of "sensitive" after prosecutors sought to narrow down a set of restrictions the 45th president can share about the case.

On Friday, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan took sides with Trump after disagreeing with an order proposed by Special Counsel Jack Smith that would have prevented the "improper dissemination or use" of all evidence turned over to Trump's lawyers before the trial.

The former president's lawyers argued that only "sensitive" information should be concealed. 

According to the five-page protective order issued by Chutkan, "The defendant and defense counsel shall not disclose Sensitive Materials or their contents directly or indirectly to any person or entity other than persons employed to assist in the defense, persons who are interviewed as potential witnesses, counsel for potential witnesses, and other persons to whom the court may authorize disclosure.