In a recent testimony before the Republican-controlled House of Representatives Oversight Committee, a former FBI agent involved in the probe of Hunter Biden revealed that he was not aware of any political interference in the case. However, he did confirm that higher-ranking officials blocked an interview with President Joe Biden's son shortly after the 2020 presidential election. The transcripts from the July 17 interview showed that the FBI supervisory agent corroborated the earlier testimony of an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) whistleblower, who stated that investigators were not allowed to interview Hunter Biden on December 8, 2020, after the Biden transition team and top Secret Service officials were notified of the plan.

The former FBI agent, who retired last year after more than two decades with the agency, expressed frustration over the decision to block the interview but did not consider it a problematic outcome. He stated that he personally was not aware of any political interference. Republicans have seized on this testimony as evidence of misconduct by the Justice Department in delaying the Hunter Biden probe, even though these events occurred during the Trump administration. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer condemned the alleged misconduct, specifically pointing to U.S. Attorney David Weiss, a Trump appointee who was recently named as special counsel over the objections of many House Republicans.

Hunter Biden, who pleaded not guilty to charges of failing to pay taxes on more than $1.5 million in income in 2017 and 2018, as well as unlawfully owning a firearm while using illegal drugs, has been at the center of a political firestorm. The former agent revealed that investigators had planned to surprise Hunter Biden with an interview request, but had to notify the Secret Service, which had begun protecting him following his father's election victory. Ultimately, both the FBI and Secret Service headquarters were informed of the interview plan, and access to Hunter Biden was blocked. The former FBI agent also mentioned that he heard from an attorney for Hunter Biden following these events.

In a separate development, lawyers for Hunter Biden filed a court document on Sunday, stating that a proposed plea deal had been rejected, raising the possibility of a criminal trial for the president's son. The proposed deal would have resolved tax and firearms charges against Hunter Biden, but it was rejected by US District Judge Maryellen Noreika in July due to concerns over its legality and the scope of immunity it offered. This case has become highly politicized, with Republicans accusing the Department of Justice of granting Hunter Biden a "sweetheart deal" and threatening to impeach President Biden over his son's business dealings. Attorney General Merrick Garland has since elevated U.S. Attorney David Weiss to special counsel status, granting him additional authority in the case.

If the case against Hunter Biden goes to trial, it will likely coincide with President Biden's reelection campaign in November 2024, potentially setting the stage for a politically charged confrontation between the two major parties. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump, who is also facing criminal trials next year, would likely be a key figure in the political landscape.