Special counsel David Weiss’ office spent $3.4 million over the past six months, a significant increase compared to previous periods. This spike in expenditures was largely due to the trial of Hunter Biden in Delaware on gun-related charges, which resulted in a conviction for the president’s son. Weiss’ office spent $2.3 million directly, with an additional $1.1 million used for existing Justice Department resources such as security protection. In contrast, Weiss only spent around $183,000 in the previous period from his appointment in August 2023 through September of that year.
Meanwhile, spending by two other Justice Department-appointed special counsels, Jack Smith and Robert Hur, decreased slightly in the same period. Smith’s office, which prosecuted federal criminal cases against Donald Trump, spent $11.8 million, down from over $14 million in the previous six months. Hur, who investigated President Biden for mishandling classified records, spent nearly $5 million, a decrease from the previous $5.3 million expenditure. Both Smith and Weiss are still actively moving criminal cases toward trial in federal courts.
The increase in spending by special counsel offices has faced scrutiny from courts in recent weeks. Defendants in cases led by counsels such as Hunter Biden and Donald Trump have questioned the amounts spent on their investigations and the Justice Department’s choice to use special counsels appointed by the attorney general instead of existing prosecutors. Smith’s case against Trump regarding efforts to overturn the 2020 election continues, with the office currently appealing a ruling that dismissed a case against Trump and co-defendants due to the funding source of the special counsel’s office.
Despite challenges to their authority, special counsels like Weiss continue their investigations and prosecutions. Hunter Biden is set to go on trial in a tax case in California next month, brought by Weiss’ office. Appeals courts and potentially the Supreme Court will likely continue to review questions regarding the use of special counsels and their funding sources. Challengers, like Trump, argue that special counsel offices should not be able to draw funding from a standing fund without specific approval from Congress.
In conclusion, special counsel offices led by individuals like David Weiss have seen a significant increase in spending over the past six months due to high-profile trials and investigations. While some, like Smith and Hur, have seen a slight decrease in spending, the overall scrutiny of special counsel operations by courts and defendants remains ongoing. The ability of the Justice Department to use special counsels and their funding sources continues to be a point of contention, with potential legal challenges ahead.
