President of the Ways and Means Committee Jason Smith (R-Mo.) used his time to criticize Democrats for their treatment of whistleblowers and denounce Hunter Biden’s lawyers for mounting what he called a campaign to discredit the couple.
Democrats responded that they want to hear from Weiss, who recently said he is willing to testify before Congress at a date yet to be agreed upon. Jordan said Weiss’ appearance, which is not expected before Hunter Biden appears in court next week regarding the federal settlement he has reached, is under negotiation between the DOJ and congressional staff.
Democrats were careful not to try to question the motives of the whistleblowers, focusing most of their rhetorical fire on the investigation of their Republican colleagues.
“We can conclude that this Inspector Clouseau-style search for something that does not exist has turned our committee into a theater of the absurd, an exercise in futility and shame,” the ranking member said of the Supervisory panel, the representative. Jamie Raskin (D-Wed.).
Democrats depend on “fiscal discretion” and Trump
Democrats instead focused much of their energy during the hearing on asserting that Weiss made a routine decision not to move forward with a broader range of charges against Hunter Biden, despite recommendations from IRS whistleblowers to follow a larger case.
“It seems to me that much of your testimony [is] on the issue of prosecutorial discretion and the traditional tug-of-war between investigators … and prosecutors, who are more attuned to the rigors of the courtroom,” Raskin told the two whistleblowers.
This line of questioning led to rejection from Shapley, in particular.
“Every time you say that it’s a disagreement. You can say it multiple times, but it doesn’t make it true,” Shapley said after the deputy. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said he thought the committee was “spending hours on end” between Weiss and the two investigators.
