Who is David Weiss?
U.S. Attorney David Weiss, based in Delaware, was nominated by Trump and confirmed by the Senate and has been in charge of the federal investigation into Hunter Biden.
Federal officials from that office launched the probe in 2018 and last month, Garland named Weiss as a special counsel for the investigation.
Earlier this year, Weiss’s office charged Hunter Biden with two misdemeanor tax offenses and a felony firearm crime, which was possession of a gun while using narcotics.
After a plea deal collapsed, Weiss indicted the president’s son last week on gun charges.
The hearing is underway
Jordan has opened the hearing and is giving an opening statement, accusing the Justice Department of working to protect President Biden while attacking Trump.
GOP lawmakers say they don’t think they’ll be satisfied with Garland’s testimony
Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., told reporters ahead of the hearing that he doesn’t think he’ll hear what he wants to hear from Garland.
“I don’t think he can satisfy us,” Johnson said.
As Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., entered the hearing room, he was asked what he needs to hear from Garland in order to be satisfied.
“What do I need to hear? Probably nothing he is going to say,” he said.
‘I am not the president’s lawyer,’ Garland will say in opening remarks
Garland plans to use strong language later this morning in pushing back against Republican criticism of the DOJ in what is expected to be a contentious hearing.
“Our job is to pursue justice, without fear or favor. Our job is not to do what is politically convenient,” he will say, according to excerpts of his prepared testimony obtained by NBC News.
“As the president himself has said, and I reaffirm here today: I am not the president’s lawyer,” Garland will say. “I will also add that I am not Congress’s prosecutor. The Justice Department works for the American people. Our job is to follow the facts and the law, wherever they lead. And that is what we do.”
Jordan also wants an interview with Hunter Biden special counsel
In a letter to Garland on Tuesday, Jordan requested that Hunter Biden special counsel David Weiss attend a transcribed interview with the committee on Oct. 11, followed by a public hearing on Oct. 18, according to a letter provided to NBC News.
In the letter, Jordan requested transcribed interviews with six other Justice Department officials as the committee probes the Hunter Biden case.
Garland to face questions about the Trump and Hunter Biden probes
Garland is set to testify before the Judiciary panel at 10 a.m. ET. It’s a routine oversight hearing, but you can expect lots of questions from House Republicans about DOJ’s handling of the Hunter Biden investigation and what exactly Special Counsel Weiss’ authority to bring charges in that case looked like.
Additionally, Jordan and GOP members are likely to press Garland on the two federal indictments Trump is facing.
