HUNTER PROBED
Calls mount for special counsel to investigate Hunter Biden’s taxes because ‘there’s a conflict of interest’
CALLS to appoint a special counsel to probe Hunter Biden's taxes are mounting because there may be "conflict of interest," GOP senators have claimed.
While may push for a tax affairs, Senators Lindsey Graham and Ron Johnson weighed in on the controversy on Wednesday.
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Graham said he "absolutely" would support appointing a special counsel to look into the 50-year-old's business dealings in and , describing it as a "good idea."
The politician said he wanted to establish whether "any crimes were committed" and if any "conflicts" exist for after his son confirmed the investigation earlier this month.
President-elect Biden said he was "confident" that his son had done nothing wrong – but Graham called "on a special counsel to look at all things ."
"To see if he presents a conflict with the Biden administration regarding his business dealings with Ukraine, which is overrun with Russian agents, and the activity he had with the Chinese government," Graham alleged.
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"Let me just say this: If you believe a special counsel was needed to look at the Trump world regarding Russia, how can you say there’s no need for a special counsel regarding Hunter Biden?"
Likewise, Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee Senator Johnson said that he hoped special counsel was “not necessary, but it might be.”
He said: “I'm hoping he’s [the US Attorney in ] a person of integrity and that we can rely on him.
"Hopefully we can also rely on Vice President Biden not replacing that individual, but again if we don't have that assurance, don't have that confidence, we just might need a special counsel.”
Their comments come as considers pushing 's replacement Jeff Rosen to assign a special counsel after announcing the attorney general would be stepping down before .
This special counsel which would advance the investigation into Biden's son could also create tension and a possible showdown with Barr's replacement, Deputy .
Enraged that into Hunter before the , Trump told one reporter to "" if he planned on firing the attorney general.
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He's already spoken with his Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, counsel Pat Cipollone, and other external allies about appointing a special counsel, Trump administration officials and Republicans told The Associated Press.
The publication noted that Trump wants to have another special counsel appointed probe his debunked claims that the 2020 race was fraudulent.
But if wants his new AG Rosen to go further than Barr – who could find no evidence of widespread voter fraud – Trump could reportedly run into problems.
On Monday, he a week after confirmed earlier this month that he was the subject of a federal probe by the DOJ, which has been looking into his tax affairs since 2018.
The Justice Department does not usually disclose investigations that are in progress although the subjects of those probes can – but Barr allegedly tried to keep the Hunter situation under wraps, which enraged Trump.
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Rosen, Barr’s top deputy since May 2019, said in a statement on that Tuesday he was “honored” to serve and “will continue to focus on the implementation of the Department’s key priorities.”
Trump reportedly asked his personal attorney to investigate whether the president has the power to appoint a special counsel himself.
AP reported that it remains to be seen if a seasoned litigator can weather Trump's potentially withering attacks as inauguration day looms – or if the outgoing president decides to fire him.
Trump aides have reportedly urged him to pressure Rosen to ensure the investigation can't be easily stopped once Biden takes office on January 20.
A special counsel can be fired only by the attorney general and for specific reasons such as misconduct, dereliction of duty, or conflict of interest under federal regulations and these reasons have to be put in writing.
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A special counsel for the Hunter probe would also mean a more drawn out and complex investigation than the current inquiry, which has only focused on the 50-year-old's taxes.
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The younger Biden was asked to hand over documents and information about two dozen entities, including Ukraine gas company Burisma in a subpoena.
An attorney general nominee would usually face a grilling during their confirmation hearing about how they would conduct this probe.
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