Attorney General Merrick Garland insists he cannot recall if he discussed the investigation into Hunter Biden with officials at the FBIâs headquarters in Washington, D.C.
During a hearing on Wednesday, Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) asked the attorney general, âHave you had personal contact with anyone at FBI headquarters about the Hunter Biden investigation?â
âUh, I donât â I donât recollect the answer to that question. But the FBI works for the Justice DepartmentâŚâ Garland began.
Johnson interrupted to ask, âIâm sorry, you donât recollect whether youâve talked to anybody at FBI headquarters about an investigation into the presidentâs son?â
âI donât believe that I did,â Garland responded.
He added, âI promised the Senate when I came before it for confirmation that I would leave Mr. Weiss in place, and that I would not interfere with his investigation. I have kept that promise.â
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Johnson then asked Garland to share if he had any âbriefings or discussionsâ with Special Counsel David Weiss about any federal investigations into Hunter Biden.
âI promised the Senate that I would not interfere with Mr. WeissâŚâ the attorney general said.
Johnson asked, âUnder oath today, your testimony is that you have not had any discussions with Mr. Weiss about this matter?â
âUnder oath my testimony today is that I promised the Senate I would not intrude in his investigation. I do not intend to discuss internal Justice Department deliberations whether or not I had them,â Garland said.
The exchange comes as Hunter Biden is facing three charges for allegedly illegally possessing a firearm while being addicted to drugs.
Republicans have raised concerns he is being given preferential treatment. In April, an IRS agent told lawmakers he had seen evidence of âpreferential treatment and Politics improperly infecting decisions and protocols that would normally be followed by career law enforcement professionals in similar circumstances if the subject were not politically connected.â
However, NBC News reports FBI agent Thomas Sobocinski, who oversaw his agencyâs investigation into the presidentâs son, rejected the allegations there was preferential treatment during testimony to the House Judiciary and Ways and Means committees.
