Many conservatives have expressed doubts over Attorney General Merrick Garland's decision to appoint Delaware U.S. Attorney Andrew Weiss as a special counsel tasked with investigating Hunter Biden.

That lack of confidence seems destined to grow in the wake of revelations that Weiss once worked closely with Hunter Biden's late brother Beau. 

Former chief of staff says Beau was "always working hand-in-glove" with Weiss

According to the Washington Post, Weiss appeared alongside Beau Biden to mark the swearing in of a federal judge in October of 2010.

"As the top federal prosecutor in Wilmington, Weiss collaborated with his local equivalent: Beau Biden, who had been elected Delaware attorney general in 2006," the paper explained.

"Weiss and Beau Biden conducted joint investigations and determined which office had jurisdiction in various cases," the Post noted.

Tim Mullaney Sr. previously served as chief of staff to Biden, and he told the paper that the Delaware attorney general was "always working hand-in-glove" with his federal counter part.

"Everybody knows everybody in Delaware"

Mullaney went on to stress how there was "nothing unusual about" that situation, particularly given their state's small size.

"Everybody knows everybody in Delaware, and it wasn’t unusual to see [Joe Biden] at the bookstore, the ice cream shop. It is normal," he added.

However, those words are unlikely to reassure congressional Republicans who earlier reacted with outrage to the failed plea bargain deal that Weiss initially offered to Hunter Biden.

Russell Dye serves as a spokesperson for House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan, and he said in a statement to Axios on August 11 that Weiss "can't be trusted."

Republicans slam Weiss' "sweetheart plea deal"

"Weiss has already signed off on a sweetheart plea deal," Dye complained, adding, "We will continue to pursue facts brought to light by brave whistleblowers as well as Weiss's inconsistent statements to Congress."

Jim Jordan doesn't think Weiss can be trusted:

"A spokesperson for Jim Jordan, makes it clear they don't believe David Weiss is the right man to handle this job as special counsel. The spokesperson saying they don’t believe he can be trusted." pic.twitter.com/lJUGvY2O6l

— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) August 11, 2023

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy offered a similar perspective, tweeting, "This action by Biden’s DOJ cannot be used to obstruct congressional investigations or whitewash the Biden family corruption."

This action by Biden’s DOJ cannot be used to obstruct congressional investigations or whitewash the Biden family corruption.

If Weiss negotiated the sweetheart deal that couldn’t get approved, how can he be trusted as a Special Counsel?

House Republicans will continue to pursue…

— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) August 11, 2023