AG Barr Won’t Name Special Counsel in Hunter Biden Probe Before His Departure

by Causes | 12.22.20

What’s the story?

• At a Monday press conference where he announced new charges against an alleged conspirator in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, Attorney General William Barr responded to questions about whether he will appoint a special counsel to continue the investigation of Hunter Biden’s overseas business dealings and tax affairs: 

“I think to the extent that there’s an investigation, I think it’s being handled responsibly and professionally, currently within the department. To this point, I have not seen a reason to appoint a special counsel and I have no plan to do so before I leave.”

• Barr is stepping down from the helm of the Dept. of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday, and added that he is “hoping that the next administration handles that matter responsibly.” 
• The appointment of a special counsel occurs when the DOJ faces a conflict of interest because it is investigating persons associated with the administration that’s in office or misconduct by federal law enforcement officers.
• That dynamic explains why Barr tasked Special Counsel John Durham with continuing his probe of the origins of the Russia collusion investigation and leaves open the possibility that the DOJ appoints a special counsel for the Hunter Biden investigation after Inauguration Day if it’s ongoing at that point.

RELATED READING

• Hunter Biden Facing Federal Investigation Over ‘Tax Affairs’

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: U.S. Marshals Service via Flickr / Creative Commons)