An IRS whistleblower called for a special counsel to be appointed to look into the Hunter Biden criminal probe because he said the Justice Department had obstructed the investigation.
Joseph Ziegler, who came forward last week to testify before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, wrote in an opinion column for the Wall Street Journal that Attorney General Merrick Garland should appoint a special counsel “so an independent reviewer can examine what I believe were deficient investigative steps and improper decisions.”
“Justice officials prevented investigators from following the evidence. Appointing a special counsel would create a path for the investigation to continue with integrity. I hope transparency will restore public confidence in the idea that every U.S. taxpayer receives equal treatment under the law. Sweetheart deals shouldn’t be handed out like candy to the rich, powerful and politically connected,” Ziegler wrote on Thursday.
He said that Hunter Biden’s plea deal likely fell apart because the DOJ “rushed to charge the case and failed to follow standard investigative processes.”
On Wednesday, Delaware U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika put off a decision on the plea deal after raising concerns about the terms of the agreement, including provisions about immunity for future prosecution.
Republicans have taken different approaches to the question of whether a special counsel should be appointed to look into Hunter Biden and the investigation.
“I have no confidence that Attorney General Merrick Garland would appoint an impartial special counsel,” Rep. James Comer (R-KY) told Just the News. “The Oversight Committee will continue our investigation into the Biden family’s influence peddling schemes to inform legislative solutions to prevent public officials and their families from abusing public office for private gain.”
Comer has been heading up the House investigation of the Biden family, and said he expects to recommend up to 10 criminal referrals against Hunter.
The Kentucky Republican added that Republicans in the House would continue to look into “politicization and misconduct at the Department of Justice and hold bad actors accountable.”
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Some Senate Republicans have advocated for Garland to appoint a special counsel to investigate the Biden family, specifically after one allegation that then-Vice President Joe Biden accepted a $5 million bribe from the Ukrainian gas company Burisma.
“Given these concerning allegations that continue to come to light with each passing day, we urge you to appoint a special counsel to investigate any wrongdoing by President Biden and his family in their business dealings,” several Republican senators, including Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) wrote to Garland last month.