Blackburn, Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans To Chairman Durbin: Call AG Garland, U.S. Attorney Weiss To Testify

August 4, 2023

NASHVILLE, TENN. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) led a letter signed by every Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee asking Chairman Durbin to call Attorney General Merrick Garland and U.S. Attorney David Weiss to testify in light of recent events related to the Hunter Biden tax investigation.

The Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans noted U.S. Attorney Weiss’ July 10 response to Ranking Member Graham’s letter raised more questions than answers regarding Weiss’ authority over the investigation. Whistleblowers’ testimony in the U.S. House of Representatives also contradicts Weiss’ assertions and Attorney General Garland’s public statements.

The Republicans wrote, In light of the foregoing discrepancies, both Attorney General Garland and U.S. Attorney Weiss must come before our Committee to clarify their statements regarding Mr. Weiss's authority to charge in districts outside the District of Delaware. They must also explain what happened to the allegations that were provided to them in the FD-1023.

They concluded, The seriousness of these developments cannot be overstated. The American people deserve the truth, and we have a responsibility to exercise our oversight authority to uncover the truth. As you stated in a similar context, ‘[t]he American people must have full transparency to draw their own conclusions.’ For the sake of ensuring transparency in the DOJ, we request that you promptly schedule a hearing with Attorney General Garland and U.S. Attorney Weiss.”

Full text of the letter is here.