WASHINGTON —House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on social media hinted at a possible impeachment inquiry of Attorney General Merrick Garland over the alleged weaponization of the Department of Justice.
Garland continues to push back against claims from IRS whistleblowers that the Justice Department interfered with the investigation into Hunter Biden, saying more broadly that attacks on the department’s independence are corrosive.
(Click below to watch White House briefing on the investigation)
In a statement from McCarthy's office, the House Speaker wrote, "Here’s what we just learned from IRS whistleblower testimony: The IRS gave Hunter Biden's tax case preferential treatment. The Department of Justice interfered with the investigation at every turn and the IRS retaliated against those very whistleblowers for telling the truth
"Our committees will continue to follow every lead into the Biden family's shady business dealings and the weaponized Biden Department of Justice. The American people deserve answers and accountability, " McCarthy wrote.
"We need to get to the facts, and that includes reconciling these clear disparities. U.S. Attorney David Weiss must provide answers to the House Judiciary Committee."
"If the whistleblowers' allegations are true, this will be a significant part of a larger impeachment inquiry into Merrick Garland's weaponization of the Department of Justice."
(Click below to watch White House response)
In a separate statement Friday, President Biden's lawyer denounced the idea that the investigation cut any corners, and said it would be “dangerously misleading” to make conclusions based on the transcript.
The transcript included a message Hunter sent to a business associate alluding to “sitting with his father,” seemingly suggesting that his father was aware of his business dealings.
Joe Biden has said he’s never spoken to his son about his foreign business. Asked if the president stands by those comments, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre replied: “What I will say is nothing has changed. Nothing has changed, and I will leave it there.”
-The AP contributed to this report.