FBI Advised Hunter Biden Investigator to Withhold Information from House Committee

A letter from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has surfaced, revealing that the agency advised a supervisory agent involved in the investigation of Hunter Biden to “decline to respond” to questions from the House Oversight Committee about the ongoing case. The letter obtained by the New York Post was sent by FBI general counsel Jason Jones just hours before the agent was due to testify.

The House Committee was seeking information about the ongoing criminal investigation and prosecution of Hunter Biden. The FBI’s letter emphasized that the Department of Justice (DOJ) expected the agent to refrain from disclosing non-public information likely covered by executive privilege or other significant confidentiality interests, particularly information about ongoing law enforcement activities.

This directive raised eyebrows, as it appeared to limit the transparency of the investigation process.

“The Department expects that you will decline to respond to questions seeking non-public information likely covered by one or more components of executive privilege or other significant confidentiality interests, in particular information about deliberations or ongoing investigative activity in law enforcement matters,” wrote Jones.

“Consistent with longstanding practice, this will afford the Department the full opportunity to consider particular questions and possible accommodations that may fulfill the Committee’s legitimate need for information while protecting Executive Branch confidentiality interests,” the letter continued.

The letter also confirmed details of the investigation previously shared by two IRS agents. These details include that Hunter Biden’s legal team was tipped off about a planned approach to interview him in December 2020 regarding his failure to pay millions in taxes on foreign income.

The letter, which described the Hunter Biden case as “ongoing,” used the same terminology as Delaware US Attorney David Weiss, raising concerns among congressional Republicans. They believe that this choice of wording is a deliberate attempt to impede their requests for records and testimony. Consequently, tensions between the FBI and the House Committee have escalated, with Republicans accusing the FBI of intentionally obstructing their investigation.

Hunter Biden’s legal team is of the opinion that their client’s legal troubles have come to an end after he recently entered a plea deal, which resulted in probation, for two misdemeanor tax fraud charges and a felony charge related to gun possession. This plea deal has sparked controversy, as critics argue that it is too lenient considering the gravity of the charges.

While an FBI spokesperson asserted that the letter was a “standard practice” preceding an employee’s testimony, another source characterized it as “unusual.” The timing of the letter and its extensive wording were cited as reasons for this view. The discrepancy in opinions has further fueled the controversy surrounding the investigation.

The name of the FBI agent was redacted in the shared copy of the letter, deepening the mystery surrounding the case. House committees led by Republicans are currently investigating allegations made by two IRS whistleblowers. These individuals claim that President Biden’s appointed US attorneys prevented Weiss from pursuing charges in Southern California and Washington, D.C. If these allegations are substantiated, it could have significant implications for the Department of Justice’s integrity.

The IRS agents, both with over a decade of experience, are expected to testify publicly before the Oversight Committee.