David Weiss | |
|---|---|
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| Special Counsel for theUnited States Department of Justice | |
| In office August 11, 2023 – January 17, 2025 | |
| Appointed by | Merrick Garland |
| United States Attorney for theDistrict of Delaware | |
| In office March 10, 2017 – January 17, 2025 Acting: March 10, 2017 – February 22, 2018 | |
| President | Donald Trump Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Charles Oberly |
| Succeeded by | Shannon T. Hanson (acting) |
| Acting January 2009 – January 24, 2011 | |
| President | George W. Bush Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Colm Connolly |
| Succeeded by | Charles Oberly |
| Personal details | |
| Born | David Charles Weiss 1956 (age 69–70) Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Education | Washington University in St. Louis (BA) Widener University (JD) |
David Charles Weiss (born 1956) is an American attorney. He was nominated by PresidentDonald Trump to beUnited States attorney for theUnited States District Court for the District of Delaware, and was retained by PresidentJoe Biden. He served in that office from February 22, 2018 to January 17, 2025.[1]
Weiss received his bachelor's degree fromWashington University in St. Louis and hisJuris Doctor degree fromWidener University School of Law.[2] Heclerked for JusticeAndrew D. Christie of theDelaware Supreme Court. He then served as an assistant United States Attorney in Delaware from 1986 to 1989, prosecutingviolent crimes andwhite-collar criminal offenses. Leaving the U.S. Attorney's office, he worked as acommercial litigation associate and partner at theDuane Morris firm and as an executive at a financial services firm.[3][4] He returned to the Delaware U.S. Attorney's office as First Assistant U.S. Attorney in 2007.[2] In this capacity, he served as Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware from 2009 until the confirmation ofCharles Oberly.[5]
Weiss later served as Acting U.S. Attorney for Delaware again during the administration of Donald Trump following the resignation of Oberly. He was subsequently nominated to officially fill that position, and on February 15, 2018, his nomination to be the United States Attorney was confirmed by the Senate byvoice vote. He was sworn in on February 22, 2018.[2]
Weiss led the investigation intoHunter Biden's financial dealings beginning in 2018 and was asked to remain in his position during theBiden administration.[6] On August 11, 2023,Attorney GeneralMerrick Garland appointed Weiss asspecial counsel.[7]
In September 2023, Weiss indicted Hunter Biden on three federal gun charges; Biden was found guilty on all counts in June 2024.[8] In December 2023, Weiss indicted Biden on nine tax-related charges; Biden pleaded guilty to all counts in September 2024.[9] In February 2024, Weiss indictedAlexander Smirnov, a former FBI informant, for fabricating allegations about the Bidens' involvement with Ukrainian energy companyBurisma Holdings.[10]
On December 1, 2024, President Biden granted Hunter Biden a full pardon covering conduct from January 1, 2014, through December 1, 2024.[11] Weiss released his final report on January 13, 2025, in which he concluded that Hunter Biden had used "his last name and connections to secure lucrative business opportunities" and criticized President Biden's characterization of the prosecution as "selective" and "unfair."[12][13] Weiss resigned as both U.S. attorney and special counsel on January 17, 2025.[14]
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