For other people named David Weiss, see David Weiss (disambiguation).
David Weiss
OfficeSpecial Counsel for the United States Department of Justice
AppointerMerrick Garland
Term startAugust 11, 2023
Term endJanuary 17, 2025
Office 1United States Attorney for the District of Delaware
President 1Donald Trump
Joe Biden
Term start 1March 10, 2017
Term end 1January 17, 2025
Acting: March 10, 2017 – February 22, 2018
Predecessor 1Charles Oberly
Successor 1Shannon T. Hanson (acting)
Term label 2Acting
President 2George W. Bush
Barack Obama
Term start 2January 2009
Term end 2January 24, 2011
Predecessor 2Colm Connolly
Successor 2Charles Oberly
Birth nameDavid Charles Weiss
Birth date1956 (age 70–71)
Birth placePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
PartyRepublican
EducationWashington University in St. Louis (BA)
Widener University (JD)

David Charles Weiss (born 1956) is an American attorney. He was nominated by President Donald Trump to be United States attorney for the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and was retained by President Joe Biden. He served in that office from February 22, 2018 to January 17, 2025.[1]

Career

Weiss received his bachelor's degree from Washington University in St. Louis and his Juris Doctor degree from Widener University School of Law.[2] He clerked for Justice Andrew D. Christie of the Delaware Supreme Court. He then served as an assistant United States Attorney in Delaware from 1986 to 1989, prosecuting violent crimes and white-collar criminal offenses. Leaving the U.S. Attorney's office, he worked as a commercial litigation associate and partner at the Duane 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 of Charles 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 by voice vote. He was sworn in on February 22, 2018.[2]

Hunter Biden investigation

Main article: Weiss special counsel investigation

Weiss led the investigation into Hunter Biden's financial dealings beginning in 2018 and was asked to remain in his position during the Biden administration.[6] On August 11, 2023, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Weiss as special 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 indicted Alexander Smirnov, a former FBI informant, for fabricating allegations about the Bidens' involvement with Ukrainian energy company Burisma 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]

References

  1. ^ "President to nominate David Weiss for US attorney in Delaware". Delaware Online. Associated Press. November 18, 2017. Retrieved December 17, 2017.
  2. ^ Mizelle, Shawna (June 20, 2023). "Who is David Weiss, the US attorney overseeing Hunter Biden criminal probe?". CNN. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  3. ^ "President Donald J. Trump Announces Ninth Wave of United States Attorney Nominations and Third Wave of United States Marshal Nominations". whitehouse.gov. November 17, 2017. Retrieved December 17, 2017. – via National Archives
  4. ^ McParland, Tom (March 13, 2017). "Acting US Attorney Seen as Possible Successor for Oberly". Delaware Law. Retrieved December 17, 2017.
  5. ^ "Oberly confirmed as new U.S. Attorney". WHYY-TV. December 13, 2010. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  6. ^ Balsamo, Michael (April 28, 2021). "Justice Dept. Seeks resignations of Trump-era US attorneys". Associated Press. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  7. ^ Gregorian, Dareh & Reilly, Ryan J. (August 11, 2023). "Attorney General Garland appoints a special counsel in Hunter Biden probe". NBC News. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  8. ^ Swan, Betsy Woodruff & Gerstein, Josh (June 11, 2024). "Hunter Biden found guilty on federal gun charges". Politico. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  9. ^ Brown, Erica & Yilek, Caitlin (September 5, 2024). "Hunter Biden pleads guilty to all 9 charges in tax evasion case before trial in Los Angeles". CBS News. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  10. ^ Cohen, Hannah Rabinowitz, Evan Perez, Marshall (2024-02-15). "Former FBI informant charged with lying about the Bidens' role in Ukraine business, undercutting GOP impeachment inquiry". CNN. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
  11. ^ "Statement from President Joe Biden". December 2, 2024.
  12. ^ "Justice Dept releases special counsel's report on Hunter Biden". CBS News. January 13, 2025. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  13. ^ "The 5 key conclusions from the Special Counsel's report on Hunter Biden". Just the News. January 14, 2025. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  14. ^ "Special counsel who prosecuted Hunter Biden quietly resigned in January". NBC News. March 1, 2025.