Attorney General Merrick Garland insists he cannot recall if he discussed the investigation into Hunter Biden with officials at the FBI’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.
During a hearing on Wednesday, Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) asked the attorney general, “Have you had personal contact with anyone at FBI headquarters about the Hunter Biden investigation?”
“Uh, I don’t — I don’t recollect the answer to that question. But the FBI works for the Justice Department…” Garland began.
Johnson interrupted to ask, “I’m sorry, you don’t recollect whether you’ve talked to anybody at FBI headquarters about an investigation into the president’s son?”
“I don’t believe that I did,” Garland responded.
He added, “I 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.”
Watch the video below:
"Have you had personal contact with anyone at FBI HQ about the Hunter Biden investigation?"
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) September 20, 2023
AG MERRICK GARLAND: "Uh, I don't recollect the answer to that question" pic.twitter.com/nFG1VmR6L0
Johnson then asked Garland to share if he had any “briefings or discussions” with Special Counsel David Weiss about any federal investigations into Hunter Biden.
“I promised the Senate that I would not interfere with Mr. Weiss…” the attorney general said.
Johnson asked, “Under oath today, your testimony is that you have not had any discussions with Mr. Weiss about this matter?”
“Under 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,” Garland said.
Why can't Biden AG Merrick Garland unequivocally say he has not discussed the Hunter Biden criminal probe with Special Counsel David Weiss — especially in light of whistleblower testimony of political interference? pic.twitter.com/js4AVFd4Sd
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) September 20, 2023
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 “preferential 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.”
However, NBC News reports FBI agent Thomas Sobocinski, who oversaw his agency’s investigation into the president’s son, rejected the allegations there was preferential treatment during testimony to the House Judiciary and Ways and Means committees.
