The Department of Justice confirmed Wednesday that special counsel David C. Weiss intends to indict Hunter Biden before Sept. 29 on his alleged possession of an illicit firearm.
Prosecutors and defendants initially reached two connected plea deals in the case, surrounding dual tax fraud misdemeanors and a felony gun charge, which would have kept President Joe Biden's son out of jail.
In exchange, he would have to plead guilty to the tax charges and agree to several conditions over two years. However, the deal collapsed in court when the presiding judge questioned its legitimacy.
Hunter Biden has now pleaded not guilty to the tax charges, putting the future of the gun deal in limbo. His legal team is expected to submit a filing addressing the recent news from the DOJ at the end of the day.
The DOJ's filing said its decision to seek the return of an indictment by a grand jury before Sept. 29 is in accordance with the Speedy Trial Act of 1974.
Still, the federal government "intends to seek the return of an indictment in this case before that date," Weiss' office said in the court document.
Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Weiss to lead an expanded investigation into Hunter Biden, specifically concerning his foreign business dealings, on Aug. 11.
As the U.S. Attorney in Delaware, Weiss is also overseeing the ongoing tax and gun case.
Republican lawmakers have questioned Weiss for allegedly overlooking stymies in the tax and gun probe, proposing the controversial plea agreement, and asking Garland for the special counsel position.
"David Weiss is a terrible decision, and it was an abuse of power for Merrick Garland to name David Weiss," Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said last month on Newsmax's "The Record With Greta Van Susteren."
Luca Cacciatore ✉
Luca Cacciatore, a Newsmax general assignment writer, is based in Arlington, Virginia, reporting on news and politics.
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