- by theguardian
- 21 Sep 2023
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Defenders of former President Donald Trump have responded to news of his indictment by the US Department of Justice with deflection: Why is Trump being charged but not President Joe Biden's son Hunter?
"The two standards of justice under Biden's DOJ is appalling. When will Hunter Biden be charged?" tweeted Rep. Steve Daines of Montana, who has already endorsed Trump's 2024 campaign and who is in charge of coordinating Republicans' strategy for keeping control of the House of Representatives.
The facts, however, are much less clear.
Fueling Republicans' frustration this week is a standoff on Capitol Hill over a document detailing an interview conducted years ago based on a tip given to the DOJ by former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani.
Giuliani, you might recall, had been tasked with digging up dirt on the Bidens. House Republicans are convinced the interview with the confidential informant, based on Giuliani's allegations, implicates both the president and his son.
There's an awkward circularity in there. Republicans are alleging the FBI under the Biden administration tried to cover up an investigation of a tip given to the FBI by Giuliani during the Trump administration, and which even Trump's attorney general, William Barr, treated with extreme care.
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