Washington: Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, may be facing a criminal trial, US Special Counsel David Weiss said on Friday, shortly after being appointed to that position. This is a sign that courtroom drama may have a significant impact on the 2024 presidential election.

A trial could lead to an unprecedented spectacle in US history: the president's son being investigated for a crime while his father runs for re-election, probably against Republican Donald Trump, who has at least three upcoming criminal trials of his own.

Republicans in the House of Representatives are also threatening to launch an impeachment investigation into unsubstantiated allegations that President Biden profited from the business ventures of his 54-year-old son.

Also Read: Russia destroys 20 Ukrainian drones over Crimea

A federal judge rejected a proposed plea deal when Weiss, who has been looking into Hunter Biden since 2019, filed misdemeanour criminal tax and gun charges in June.

The two sides' negotiations have since broken down, according to Weiss, who stated this in a court document on Friday. The government now believes that a trial is necessary to resolve the case.

The application was made shortly after US Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Weiss to the position of special counsel, giving him more freedom and independence to conduct the investigation.

In spite of owing more than $100,000 in back taxes, Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty in July to charges of failing to pay taxes on more than $1.5 million in income in 2017 and 2018. In a different case, where he is accused of illegally possessing a firearm while under the influence of drugs, which is a felony, he did not enter a plea.

Weiss was initially chosen by Trump to fill the position of US Attorney for Delaware, and he was permitted to continue serving during the Biden administration. Weiss will have no daily oversight from the Justice Department while serving as a special counsel, allowing him to bring charges anywhere in the country. Garland is free to reject his suggestions, but he must inform Congress if he does.

Also Read: Eritrea summons a British diplomat over comments made about Tigray

Weiss suggested that depending on where the alleged criminal activity occurred—Washington or California—he might file different charges against Hunter Biden.
Hunter Biden's attorney stated that he didn't think Weiss would yield to political pressure.

Chris Clark, a lawyer for Vice President Biden, said in a statement, "Whether in Delaware, Washington, D.C., or anywhere else, we expect a fair resolution not infected by politics and we'll do what is necessary on behalf of Mr. Biden to achieve that."

Garland stated that Weiss will produce a report once his work is complete, and the Justice Department will make as much of it available to the public as they can.

"The appointment of Mr. Weiss reinforces for the American people the department's commitment to both independence and accountability in particularly sensitive matters," Garland said at a press conference.

Republicans have claimed that the senior Biden made money off of his son's business ventures in China and the Ukraine, but they have not yet provided any proof of this. Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy stated in July that the body may open an impeachment investigation in the autumn.

The White House chose not to respond. Officials for Biden have previously called Republican accusations "insane conspiracy theories" and asserted that Biden did not get involved in his son's business dealings.

Hunter Biden has reportedly struggled with alcoholism and crack cocaine use. He has worked as a lobbyist, attorney, consultant, and investment banker.
Republicans argued that Weiss lacked the authority to carry on the investigation. How can Weiss be trusted as a Special Counsel if he negotiated the sweetheart deal that was rejected? said McCarthy.

Weiss is the third special prosecutor that Garland has chosen to look into politically sensitive issues.

Jack Smith, one of them, has brought two separate criminal complaints against Trump, and Robert Hur is looking into whether Biden handled classified information improperly after he left his position as vice president.

Special counsels have looked into the exposure of a CIA agent and Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election in previous administrations.
Several Republican congressional committees have made Hunter Biden their top priority.

Hunter gave the impression of emphasising his family ties while he was conducting business in Ukraine nearly ten years ago, when his father served as vice president, according to one former associate who testified before the House Oversight Committee. Devon Archer, the witness, claimed that Hunter spoke to his father every day, but claimed that they did not discuss business.

Also Read: Military Talks on Niger Halted as West African Nations Clash Amid Coup Uproar

As the two prepare for a potential rematch in the 2024 presidential election, Trump has also frequently brought up the younger Biden in an effort to malign him. Stephen Cheung, his spokesman, advised Weiss to "quickly conclude" that Biden and his son "should face the required consequences."

According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll from June, 50% of Americans, including 75% of Republicans and 33% of Democrats, thought Weiss gave the younger Biden preferential treatment. However, the majority claimed that wouldn't influence their vote in the upcoming election.