House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer has voiced strong opposition to appointing a special counsel in the Hunter Biden investigation. He expressed a lack of trust in Attorney General Merrick Garland and affirmed his committee's capability to thoroughly investigate the Biden family's alleged business dealings. This follows the release of testimony from two IRS whistleblowers who claim Justice Department, FBI, and IRS officials interfered with the Hunter Biden investigation, suggesting political influence in the decision-making process. The whistleblowers allege that investigators were directed to avoid questions about President Biden, and search warrants related to Hunter Biden were not pursued.

These revelations emerged shortly after the Justice Department announced Hunter Biden's plea deal involving two misdemeanor counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax, likely avoiding prison time. He also agreed to a pretrial diversion agreement regarding a separate firearm possession charge.

Comer emphasized the importance of his committee, not a Biden-appointed special counsel, leading the investigation. He argued that a special counsel under Garland's authority would lack transparency with the media and Congress, potentially delaying the investigation for years. He expressed confidence in his committee's ability to uncover information efficiently, citing their progress in just five months compared to the government's five-year timeline. Comer went so far as to call Garland "corrupt," accusing him of lying about his involvement and alleging a cover-up within the federal government. He specifically referenced Garland's denial of interference in the investigation, where Garland claimed U.S. Attorney David Weiss had full autonomy.

However, an IRS whistleblower testified that Weiss was consistently hampered by DOJ officials and other U.S. Attorneys, and his request for special counsel authority was denied. Comer suggested the DOJ's delay in the Hunter Biden probe may have been a tactic to allow the statute of limitations to expire on some tax issues.

Comer confirmed his committee possesses Hunter Biden's laptop hard drive and is utilizing it in their investigation. An IRS whistleblower revealed that federal investigators knew the laptop's contents were reliable as early as December 2019 but were prevented from accessing all the information. The whistleblower stated it's impossible to determine if further evidence of criminal activity related to President or Hunter Biden existed on the laptop due to restrictions on questioning the president.

Comer stated the committee is utilizing the hard drive's contents, unlike the IRS, and is interviewing individuals the IRS was instructed not to. Devon Archer, a Hunter Biden business associate, is expected to testify this month, and more witnesses will be called. The committee is also investigating potential violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act by Hunter Biden. Comer's investigation has uncovered over 20 companies established by the Biden family and associates, receiving over $10 million from foreign nationals during Joe Biden's vice presidency. Some payments suggest potential influence peddling and efforts to conceal the source and total amounts received. The committee is also examining an FBI document alleging President Biden's involvement in a bribery scheme with a foreign national, influencing U.S. policy. Comer subpoenaed this document, but the FBI offered only a redacted version for review. Comer anticipates further testimony and bank records will reveal greater involvement by Joe Biden in these alleged schemes. The White House maintains Biden's non-involvement in his son's business dealings.