Hunter Biden Case: House Republicans Subpoena IRS, FBI Officials Involved in Probe
The IRS and FBI were subpoenaed by House Republicans as part of an investigation into claims made by a whistleblower that the DOJ interfered in the federal Hunter Biden case. Mark Makela/Getty Images

House Republicans have taken a significant step in their ongoing investigation into the Hunter Biden case.

The House Republicans issued subpoenas to key personnel from the Department of Justice and the Internal Revenue Service involved in the criminal probe on Monday, per CNN.

The move reflects their continuing efforts to explore allegations of mishandling and potential political interference regarding President Joe Biden's son.

The subpoenas, initiated by House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan and House Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith, specifically target individuals linked to a crucial meeting in October 2022.

According to IRS whistleblowers, this meeting revealed obstacles encountered by US Attorney David Weiss, who was recently appointed as special counsel for the case. These roadblocks pertained to his attempts to bring charges against Hunter Biden.

The subpoenas aim to secure testimony from two individuals within the IRS and two from the DOJ.

They underline House Republicans' determination to press forward with their investigations into the Hunter Biden case, despite the potential complications arising from Weiss' appointment as special counsel.

This move could pose challenges in compelling cooperation from prosecutors and investigators involved in the ongoing criminal inquiry.

In a joint statement accompanying the release of the subpoenas, Jordan and Smith emphasized their commitment to follow the facts. They underscored the importance of obtaining testimonies from Biden Administration officials.

They assert that these testimonies are pivotal in understanding whether the President's son received preferential treatment from federal prosecutors and identifying the ultimate decision-maker in the case.

The Subpoenaed IRS and FBI Officials

The subpoenas from House Republicans were issued to four individuals:

  • Michael T. Batdorf, IRS director of field operations

  • Darrell J. Waldon, IRS special agent in charge

  • Thomas J. Sobocinski, FBI special agent in charge

  • Ryeshia Holley, FBI assistant special agent in charge

While Jordan and Smith announced the subpoenas jointly, they were technically issued individually.

Waldon and Batdorf are scheduled to testify before the Ways & Means Committee on September 8 and 12, respectively, according to information obtained from POLITICO.

Sobocinski and Holley are slated to provide their testimonies before the Judiciary Committee on September 7 and 11, respectively.

The four individuals who received the subpoenas were part of a broader group of 13 individuals originally requested for interviews by Jordan, Smith, and Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Kentucky) in June.

Although the Justice Department confirmed in July that Republicans had authorized subpoenas for these individuals, the subpoenas had not been served until now.

Defending IRS and FBI Officials

Correspondence sent to the officials reveals that Waldon, Sobocinski, and Holley attended the October 7 meeting, while Batdorf had "direct knowledge" of the meeting's proceedings, as conveyed in an email from Shapley.

In response, Smith and Jordan noted that neither the IRS nor the FBI had agreed to make the four officials available for voluntary interviews with the committee, The Hill reported.

Smith and Jordan emphasized that their committees, along with the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, have pursued these interviews considering concerns raised by IRS whistleblowers about potential political interference in the Hunter Biden case involving foreign influence peddling and tax evasion allegations.

Despite encountering resistance from the Biden Administration, House Republicans remain steadfast in their pursuit of transparency and accountability.

They view the subpoenas as integral to comprehending the intricate details of the case and the role played by federal prosecutors.

The appointment of special counsel Weiss has prompted questions about the accuracy of statements to Congress regarding charging authority, leading to discussions of a potential impeachment inquiry against Attorney General Garland.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Weiss didn't plan to charge Hunter Biden until whistleblowers came forward: Report | The Hill - From NewsNation