Two whistleblowers who accused the Justice Department of political interference in the investigation into President Joe Biden’s youngest son Hunter will testify before Congress at 1 p.m. Wednesday, including 13-year-old IRS special agent “Whistleblower X,” whose identity will be revealed for the first time during the hearing, and former investigative supervisor Greg Shappel.
According to an opening statement released before the hearing, the unnamed official plans to describe himself as a “whistleblower compelled to reveal the truth” and shine a light on “the shadow cast over our federal legal system.”
“I have witnessed the erosion of moral standards and the abuse of power that threatens our nation. It is in this context that I have chosen to shine a light on these actions and expose those responsible. I recognize that while I was present at the beginning of this investigation and have been involved in the investigation for nearly five years – that I am only part of the story,” the opening statement said. “My goal is to address the systemic problems that have allowed mismanagement to flourish. This is not a call for blame, but for accountability and reform.”
“Transparency is the foundation of our democracy,” the unnamed IRS agent will tell Congress on Wednesday. “Without it, people lose faith in institutions and the bonds that bind the fabric of our nation begin to fray. The American people deserve to know the truth, no matter how unpleasant or painful it may be to any political party.”
FBI asked agent investigating poacher not to answer some committee questions about case: report
Hunter Biden, son of President Biden, arrives at Fort Leslie J. McNair on Sunday, June 25, 2023 in Washington, DC, US. (Julia Nickson/CEPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The IRS whistleblowers claim that there was a pattern of “slow-moving investigative actions” on Hunter Biden, including instructions not to speak with him at his residence, informing the president’s son and staff of ongoing efforts and delaying enforcement actions in the months leading up to the 2020 presidential election.
Leaders of the House Judiciary, Oversight and Accountability, and Ways and Means committees will join together Wednesday to host IRS whistleblowers in what is expected to be an intense hearing.
Two IRS agents were assigned to the federal investigation into Hunter Biden’s tax and gun charges. Biden eventually pleaded guilty to corruption tax crimes as part of a plea deal with federal prosecutors in a deal that drew criticism from Republican lawmakers. The hearing comes as House Republicans continue to investigate the president and his family after the Justice Department failed to find evidence of criminal conduct.
Ex-FBI Agent Confirms Key Details of Hunter Biden Whistleblower’s Testimony, GOP Says
A congressional investigation into the Justice Department’s case against Hunter Biden was launched last month, days after Hunter Biden’s plea deal was announced.
Representative Jim Jordan, a Republican from Ohio and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, speaks during a hearing Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Washington, DC, U.S. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The House Ways and Means Committee previously voted to publicly share hundreds of pages of testimony from IRS employees. In testimony, the agents described several obstacles in the case, such as interviewing people related to the case or issuing search warrants, which they ultimately claim hindered their investigation.
In one specific case, Shapley described efforts by IRS agents to execute a search warrant at a storage facility in Virginia where the younger Biden’s documents were being stored. He said the assistant U.S. attorney involved in the case contacted Hunter Biden’s attorneys and that the tip “killed our opportunity to get to the evidence before it was destroyed, manipulated or hidden.”
Shapley also claimed that U.S. Attorney David Weiss, the federal prosecutor who led the Hunter Biden investigation, asked for special counsel status to bring tax cases to jurisdictions outside of Delaware, including Washington, D.C., and California.
Shapley claims Weiss was denied the request, but both Weiss and the Justice Department deny the claim. He said Weiss had “absolute jurisdiction” over the case and never sought to press charges in other states.
Another IRS whistleblower said he opened an investigation into Hunter Biden in 2015 and described continued frustrations with the way the case was handled, including by the Trump administration and then-Attorney General William Barr.
U.S. Attorney David Weiss is the federal prosecutor who led the investigation against Hunter Biden. (Fox News screenshot)
She said that when she tried to delve deeper into Hunter Biden’s life and finances, she started throwing obstacles in the way. Other agents involved in the case are yet to testify.
Three heads of committees – representatives. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, James Comer, R-Kentucky, and Jason Smith, R-Missouri — have jointly claimed that the Justice Department is riddled with political interference and bias.
He also called Hunter Biden’s plea deal with prosecutors a “sweetheart deal” to potentially avoid jail time.
High-ranking Justice Department officials have provided some information that corroborates some of the whistleblowers’ accounts but mostly contradicts their claims and those of Republican leaders.
Federal prosecutors and investigators often disagree on how to conduct an investigation and can reach different decisions and conclusions, officials have said. He also pointed to the unusual circumstances of the investigation of the son of a leading presidential candidate. And, department policy cautions prosecutors to be careful in charging cases with potential political overtones, especially around election time, to avoid any potential influence on the outcome, he said.
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House Democrats have defended the Justice Department, saying Wise was appointed by former President Donald Trump and that the federal investigation into Hunter Biden was initiated by Trump’s Justice Department. Biden also nominated Weiss after winning the presidency.
Hunter Biden will appear for his plea hearing next week.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Source by [Fox News]
