Hunter Biden (12 Viewers)

[FullMonte]

Lost in all the news coverage about what's going on in the US right now is this bit of information.

The Ukrainian government has completed an audit of thousands of case files related to Burisma. Ruslan Ryaboshapka (the prosecutor general), described by Zelenskiy as "100 percent my person" in the July phone call with president Trump said "I specifically asked prosecutors to check especially carefully those facts about Biden's alleged involvement. They answered that there was nothing of the kind."

Not that anyone SHOULD be surprised to find out that Hunter Biden was not implicated in something that was done by the CEO of Burisma in his role as a government employee, that happened two years before Biden joined the board.

Ukrainian prosecutors find no evidence against Hunter Biden

Audit probed energy company Burisma, of which Biden was a board member from 2014-2019

www.theguardian.com

 

[rajncajn]

Why now did Weiss feel his investigation was at this point and what's the actual effective difference now with this transition to a special counsel given that Weiss was already in charge of the investigation.. would be my two questions I think.

Because the Republicans were going to slow-roll this to and through the election, even if Biden wins it. They're effectively trying to use the same tactic the Democrats did with the Trump/Russia investigations.

 

[rajncajn]

Well, to be fair, all the Rs care about is smearing Joe, they don’t actually give a shirt about a president‘s relatives profiting from foreign companies. They don’t even care if their allegations are true, as long as they get to yell about them over and over.

Here is one thing I’ve never got an answer to: why do Rs think Weiss (a lifelong R and Trump appointee) is corrupt?

I don't think that's actually true. They can smear Joe simply by damning Hunter. Of course it's better for them if they can tie him to the proverbial albatross, but it will still greatly damage him in the polls.

The answer to the second question is quoted in the post you replied to. The IRS investigators effectively are accusing Weiss of either greatly mis-managing the investigation or (in their opinion) intentionally sabotaging it. I think they have a pretty good case for either if what they are saying is true and I don't see what lying about it would gain them.

 

[MT15]

The answer to the second question is quoted in my post. The IRS investigators effectively are accusing Weiss of either greatly mis-managing the investigation or (in their opinion) intentionally sabotaging it.

But why? Why do they think this Trump appointee and life-long R is doing this? That’s what nobody has been able to tell me.

I have read speculation (seems pretty firm) that these 2 guys got into trouble for leaking to the press about the investigation and were facing disciplinary action. So they decided to go this route, except I don’t think either one of them has officially been designated a whistleblower. What they are describing seems to me to be inter-departmental squabbling and sour grapes.

I also read some speculation, less firm IMO, that they are responsible for the fact that Weiss couldn’t charge some items because they mishandled evidence and violated Hunter‘s constitutional rights. So the evidence was tainted, which may be another reason they got into trouble.

 

[bdb13]

Because the Republicans were going to slow-roll this to and through the election, even if Biden wins it. They're effectively trying to use the same tactic the Democrats did with the Trump/Russia investigations.

But I don't really understand how this impacts the ability of Republicans to not just do that anyway.

 

[MT15]

Because the Republicans were going to slow-roll this to and through the election, even if Biden wins it. They're effectively trying to use the same tactic the Democrats did with the Trump/Russia investigations.

How does this stop them? I’m guessing they won’t stop.

 

[MT15]

I don't think that's actually true. They can smear Joe simply by damning Hunter. Of course it's better for them if they can tie him to the proverbial albatross, but it will still greatly damage him in the polls.

If they cared about presidents or their families profiting from foreign corporations they missed a really YUGE opportunity. Lol. They don’t care. It’s all political and it couldn’t be more obvious.



I don’t think any of this will damage Joe in the polls. Everybody except MAGA world is rolling their eyes at this crap.

 

[rajncajn]

But I don't really understand how this impacts the ability of Republicans to not just do that anyway.

How does this stop them? I’m guessing they won’t stop.

Appointing Weiss allows him control of the investigation, him the ability to control the narrative and ultimately him the authority to bring charges and what charges to bring. The Republicans can do or say whatever they want, but whatever they say or do is just going to be blown off by anyone with a D by their name just like it already is. Weiss, as evidenced just by this thread, has already been given the trust of the Democratic voter. IF Weiss is really what the Republicans are accusing him of then this would be an absolute best-case scenario that would effectively guarantee a perfect outcome in both polling and legally.

 

[coldseat]

This was a dumb move by Garland and Weiss. It didn't require the appointment of a special council and nothing that's done will placate Republicans, which shouldn't have even been a consideration in the SC appointment.

It will just turn into more political theater. They should have just let Republicans keep in seething with their fake investigation and on Fox News and closed out the case with the normal process.

 

[MT15]

Appointing Weiss allows him control of the investigation, him the ability to control the narrative and ultimately him the authority to bring charges and what charges to bring.

The House Rs were never going to be able to bring any charges or decide what charges to bring. He was already in total control of the investigation. I’m not seeing how this affects what the House Rs will do at all.

 

[rajncajn]

If they cared about presidents or their families profiting from foreign corporations they missed a really YUGE opportunity. Lol. They don’t care. It’s all political and it couldn’t be more obvious.



I don’t think any of this will damage Joe in the polls. Everybody except MAGA world is rolling their eyes at this crap.

Whataboutism aside, I agree and Biden's DOJ SHOULD be investigating. Personally, I think the majority of DC are a bunch of grifters who only care about their own elections and staying in power. But that would be making a "both sides" argument and nobody wants to hear that either.

 

[UriUT]

Because the Republicans were going to slow-roll this to and through the election, even if Biden wins it. They're effectively trying to use the same tactic the Democrats did with the Trump/Russia investigations.

I can't get past this false equivalency. By Trump's own actions and words, he warranted an investigation. He fired the fbi director that was investigating him. He obstructed per the Muller report. Yet the Dems, tried to slow roll what? What evidence has implicated Biden? The same hear-say that the Repubs objected? This victimhood is tiresome.

 

[BullSheetBuddha]

..............................

I can't see ANY Republican thinking Weiss being appointed is a good thing.

True, their stupidity is rather overwhelming.

 

[DJ1BigTymer]

This was a dumb move by Garland and Weiss. It didn't require the appointment of a special council and nothing that's done will placate Republicans, which shouldn't have even been a consideration in the SC appointment.

It will just turn into more political theater. They should have just let Republicans keep in seething with their fake investigation and on Fox News and closed out the case with the normal process.

I will reserve judgment on any of that until they release their SC Appointment Letter. As of now, I have know idea what he is now investigating or the scope of that investigation.

 

[rajncajn]

The House Rs were never going to be able to bring any charges or decide what charges to bring. He was already in total control of the investigation. I’m not seeing how this affects what the House Rs will do at all.

If it was a mutually agreed-upon appointment then the republicans would have influence. Not only that, but at least it would actually give both sides the impression of impartiality. But Garland decided to appoint someone that he absolutely knew they would never agree to. Why do you think he did that? Because Weiss, being "a lifelong R and Trump appointee" (your words) gives the impression to the Democratic voter (you) that it will be a fair investigation. The Republicans say they have reason to believe it will not be and if the IRS agents testimony is true then they have a very good argument for that because they've already experienced it first hand.

 

[MT15]

Whataboutism aside, I agree and Biden's DOJ SHOULD be investigating. Personally, I think the majority of DC are a bunch of grifters who only care about their own elections and staying in power. But that would be making a "both sides" argument and nobody wants to hear that either.

The really big difference is that Joe isn’t really suspected of doing anything wrong, and Hunter is a private citizen. So it seems to me to be a huge waste of resources when we have bigger fish to fry.

Whereas Trump called that investigation down on himself, and deserved every bit of it. He just obstructed out in the open. Much like he did with the documents in FL.

Of course the Dems took advantage - but they had a lot more material to work with. This is weak sauce, politically, imo.

 

[coldseat]

I will reserve judgment on any of that until they release their SC Appointment Letter. As of now, I have know idea what he is now investigating or the scope of that investigation.

That's fine. I just don't see anything there.

The only reason this would require a SC appointment is if it involved Joe Biden. At most, with all of their intensive digging, all Republicans on their committee have unearthed are phone calls between Joe and Hunter discussing the weather. And all we got out of Weiss' case so far was a plea deal for tax and a gun charge on Hunter that fell apart. If there was even any smoke at all of anything more sinister, much more would have come out by now. This is a huge nothing burger and a colossal waste of time and money. Until there is any proof indicating otherwise, I'll continue to believe that. I'm not holding my breath.

 

[MT15]

If it was a mutually agreed-upon appointment then the republicans would have influence. Not only that, but at least it would actually give both sides the impression of impartiality. But Garland decided to appoint someone that he absolutely knew they would never agree to. Why do you think he did that? Because Weiss, being "a lifelong R and Trump appointee" (your words) gives the impression to the Democratic voter (you) that it will be a fair investigation. The Republicans say they have reason to believe it will not be and if the IRS agents testimony is true then they have a very good argument for that because they've already experienced it first hand.

House Rs have no input on a DOJ appointment. Wrong branch of government. It’s not up to them in any way, shape or form.

Why is Weiss supposedly corrupt here? You haven’t given me his motive here. If we are to believe 2 disgruntled ex-IRS agents who have nothing but their word against his, at least show me a viable motive.

 

[DJ1BigTymer]

If it was a mutually agreed-upon appointment then the republicans would have influence. Not only that, but at least it would actually give both sides the impression of impartiality. But Garland decided to appoint someone that he absolutely knew they would never agree to. Why do you think he did that? Because Weiss, being "a lifelong R and Trump appointee" (your words) gives the impression to the Democratic voter (you) that it will be a fair investigation. The Republicans say they have reason to believe it will not be and if the IRS agents testimony is true then they have a very good argument for that because they've already experienced it first hand.

The IRS agents testified to nothing! Their entire beef was based on a proposed plea deal that failed and the idea of Biden avoiding tax penalties that were already resolved/paid.

Federal criminal investigation Hunter Biden focuses on his business dealings (Update: DOJ appoints special counsel)

Hunter Biden received a $3.5 million wire transfer from Elena Baturina, the richest woman in Russia and the widow of Yury Luzhkov, the former mayor of Moscow, Senate Republicans revealed in their report on the younger Biden’s work in Ukraine.Baturina is referenced in the 87-page report, which...

madaboutpolitics.com

Zeigler is blowing the whistle on the fact that Hunter and the DoJ agreed to a plea deal. He also recognizes the fact that his questions would become clearer once the full terms of the deal would be released.

ZIEGLER: I would like to note that once the plea agreement is finally released, it may provide a greater understanding.