Reporters confront Garland with IRS whistleblower accusations that DOJ interfered in Hunter Biden probe

Attorney General Merrick Garland denied Friday accusations that his Justice Department interfered in the Hunter Biden investigation.

Two IRS whistleblowers claim they were retaliated against after raising concerns about unusual interference from the DOJ in their investigation. On Thursday, the House Ways and Means Committee released transcripts from those whistleblowers.

One of the explosive claims made by the IRS criminal supervisory agent is that he was in a meeting with U.S. Attorney David Weiss last October in which Weiss said he was instructed not to bring criminal charges against Biden at the time. The timing of the claim supports a Washington Post report, published in early October 2022, that claimed prosecutors believed they had sufficient evidence to charge Biden.

But Garland denied intervening in the investigation whatsoever.

"As I said at the outset, Mr. Weiss — who was appointed by President Trump as the U.S. attorney in Delaware and assigned this matter during the previous administration — would be permitted to continue his investigation and to make a decision to prosecute any way in which he wanted to and in any district in which he wanted to," Garland said at a press conference. "Mr. Weiss has since sent a letter to the House Judiciary Committee confirming that he had that authority."

"I don't know how it would be possible for anybody to block him from bringing a prosecution, given that he has this authority," the attorney general added.

But when a reporter followed up to confirm that Weiss was "never told no," Garland provided a vague answer that did not address the heart of the question.

"He was given complete authority to make all decisions on his own behalf," he said.

Merrick Garland Asked Point Blank About IRS Whistleblower Alleging Wrongdoing In Hunter Biden Casewww.youtube.com

Another reporter asked Garland about accusations that Weiss wanted to be appointed as a special counsel. Garland said Weiss never asked to be made a special counsel. Moreover, he said he would support Weiss if he decided to address directly the whistleblower claims.

Finally, Garland vehemently defended the Justice Department against critics who allege it is a politicized agency.

"I certainly understand that some have chose to attack the integrity of the Justice Department, its components, and its employees by claiming that we do not treat like cases alike. This constitutes an attack on an institution that is essential to American democracy and essential to the safety of the American people," Garland said.

"Nothing could be further from the truth," he added.

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