Hunter Biden Criticizes Appointment of Merrick Garland as Attorney General

Hunter Biden, son of former President Joe Biden, recently expressed regret over Merrick Garland’s appointment as U.S. attorney general. While appearing on the “I’ve Had It” podcast, he labeled it the “greatest mistake” of his father’s tenure.

Podcast host Jennifer Welch criticized Garland and the Department of Justice for not pressing charges against former President Donald Trump and for their investigation into Hunter Biden. Welch described this as “capitulation by Democrats” to Republicans in Garland’s appointment.

“One of the things that angers me is the Merrick Garland DOJ for not prosecuting Trump and prosecuting you,” Welch stated, prompting a response from Hunter Biden. He emphasized that, although his views might be personal, he believed Merrick Garland’s leadership was the administration’s single largest error. Hunter acknowledged that ultimately, the decision was President Biden’s responsibility as he was the one who appointed Garland. He attempted to clarify that there was a strict boundary maintained, akin to a separation between “church and state,” ensuring that the president does not meddle with DOJ decisions.

In particular, Hunter Biden expressed disappointment in Garland for not pursuing what he perceives as Trump’s involvement in the Capitol riots on January 6. He referred to it as a “planned conspiracy” devised to challenge the 2020 election results.

Hunter argued that Merrick Garland should have launched a rigorous investigation instead of avoiding controversy. He asked rhetorically whether Garland had not witnessed the chaos on January 6 when rioters stormed the Capitol.

During the discussion, both Welch and Hunter described Garland as a “moderate.” They speculated that President Biden’s choice might have been partly influenced by a need to win Republican favor and possibly as a gesture to make Garland “whole” after being blocked from a Supreme Court appointment during Obama’s presidency.

Former President Joe Biden eventually pardoned Hunter in his final weeks in office, covering offenses from January 1, 2014, to December 1, 2024. This act further complicated the narrative around Hunter Biden and the Garland DOJ’s actions.