During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Attorney General Merrick Garland faced scrutiny over the Hunter Biden investigation, with critics accusing the DOJ of politicizing the FBI and compromising its impartiality.
Despite Garland’s assurances that the investigation will remain independent, former Assistant FBI Director Chris Swecker expressed doubts, arguing that the DOJ is delaying the decision and that Garland is a “surrogate” for the Biden administration. Some critics argue that Garland’s failure to appoint a special counsel on the Hunter Biden probe indicates a lack of commitment to impartiality.
Takeaways:
Critics of the DOJ argue that the Hunter Biden investigation is being politicized.
Former Assistant FBI Director Chris Swecker accused Garland of being a “surrogate” for the Biden administration, suggesting a lack of trust in the DOJ’s impartiality.
Some critics argue that Garland’s failure to appoint a special counsel on the Hunter Biden probe indicates a lack of commitment to impartiality.
Sen. Chuck Grassley argued that the Hunter Biden investigation may not be insulated from partisan influence if a judge appointed by the president is responsible for approving potential charges.
Swecker expressed concerns about the DOJ’s broader trend of what he called “political” targeting, arguing that the DOJ’s power only seems to fall on people with conservative ideologies.
Commentary:
Republicans are right to be concerned about the Hunter Biden investigation’s impartiality, given the DOJ’s history of politicizing the FBI.
Garland’s assurances that the investigation will remain independent may not be enough to convince skeptics like Swecker, who argue that the DOJ is delaying the decision and that Garland is a “surrogate” for the Biden administration.
The DOJ’s failure to appoint a special counsel on the Hunter Biden probe also suggests a lack of commitment to impartiality. As the investigation continues, Republicans must remain vigilant in holding the DOJ accountable for its promises of impartiality.
