Staff Reports
House Republicans are stepping up their efforts to pressure the Department of Justice (DOJ) to allow four witnesses to testify about the department's investigation into Hunter Biden. They argue that the DOJ is obstructing employees involved in the case from complying with congressional subpoenas.
In a letter obtained by the Washington Examiner, the House Judiciary Committee informed Attorney General Merrick Garland that the DOJ directed two Tax Division officials, Mark Daly and Jack Morgan, to defy their subpoenas. Daly and Morgan reportedly played roles in the Hunter Biden case and allegedly opposed bringing charges against Biden during a meeting at DOJ headquarters in June 2022.
DOJ obstructing key Hunter Biden {IRS} witnesses from testifying, Republicans say https://t.co/4mhIuWwCQU via @dcexaminer pic.twitter.com/XWDBROqZLP
— Doris Daze (@DorisDaze2016) March 7, 2024
While the DOJ eventually brought nine tax charges against Hunter Biden for the years 2016 to 2019, the committee is interested in determining whether Biden received preferential treatment leading to the avoidance of charges for the 2014 and 2015 tax years.
Furthermore, Republicans, as part of an impeachment inquiry, are examining the DOJ's investigation of Biden to ascertain whether President Joe Biden's office had any involvement in the investigative steps regarding his son.
House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) argued in the letter that the DOJ's obstruction has hindered the committee's investigation and is hampering its ability to decide whether to draft articles of impeachment against President Biden. He requested that the DOJ reverse its directive to the witnesses not to comply with the subpoenas.
The committee has also issued subpoenas to former Delaware Assistant U.S. Attorney Lesley Wolf and U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves of Washington, D.C., indicating a desire for additional information on the Biden investigation.
The DOJ has maintained its stance by citing a long-standing policy against allowing line-level employees like Daly and Morgan to testify, particularly about ongoing matters such as the investigation into Hunter Biden. While expressing willingness to cooperate with Congress, House Republicans continue to push for the witnesses to testify and have rejected the DOJ's requests for written questions ahead of possible depositions.
The ongoing exchange between House Republicans and the DOJ highlights the contentious nature of the demand for witness testimony and the DOJ's reluctance to permit it. As the situation unfolds, the political tension surrounding the Hunter Biden investigation is escalating, potentially impacting President Biden's administration.
