Senate

Tim Scott claims special counsel ‘cannot be trusted’ in Hunter Biden probe

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., speaks at a town hall, Sunday, April 30, 2023, in Charleston, S.C. Scott has launched an exploratory committee and says he'll announce a decision on the 2024 presidential race by the end of May. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard)

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said Saturday he doesn’t trust the newly-appointed special counsel in the Department of Justice’s investigation into Hunter Biden.

“Well, Charles, what we know for sure is that David Weiss cannot be trusted,” Scott, a 2024 GOP presidential candidate, said in an interview on Fox News. “Kid gloves is a treatment that Hunter Biden has received from this Department of Justice.”

Scott also said Weiss’ appointment would affect everyday Americans’ trust in government because of perceived bias against Republicans by the Department of Justice. If voters elected him over President Joe Biden and kicked him out of office, current Attorney General Merrick Garland will be also out of office, he said.

“Appointing David as a special counsel is like keeping the concept of a DOJ protecting Democrats while hunting Republicans,” Scott said. “I can’t think of a more forceful sign that nothing has changed.” 

Garland appointed Weiss as special counsel in the investigation into President Biden’s son on Friday as what appears to be a pending plea deal unwinds.

“On Tuesday of this week, Mr. Weiss advised me that in his judgment, his investigation had reached a stage at which he should continue his work as a special counsel, and he asked to be so appointed,” Garland said in a Friday statement.

“Upon considering his request, as well as the extraordinary circumstances relating to this matter, I have concluded that it is in the public interest to appoint him as special counsel.”

Updated 8/13 at 3:50 p.m.