Support grows among Republicans for naming a special counsel to investigate Hunter Biden

Nearly 100 House Republicans are urging Attorney General Merrick Garland to appoint a special counsel to investigate Hunter Biden's foreign business deals, saying they had the hallmarks of an influence peddling scandal.

The letter led by Reps. Tom Rice (R-S.C.) and Jim Banks (R-Ind.), the chair of the House GOP Study Committee, comes as the U.S. attorney in Delaware enters his third year investigating Hunter Biden's taxes, foreign lobbying and money movements.

In all, 95 House GOP members signed the letter.

"It is increasingly clear that Hunter Biden took advantage of his father's position as Vice President to develop business relationships with clients in Ukraine, China, and Kazakhstan," the lawmakers wrote. "Hunter Biden likely facilitated lobbying for foreign entities through third-party channels without registering for the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

"It appears that Hunter Biden used his position as son of then-Vice President Biden to gain wealth and influence in foreign countries, using questionably sourced money to pay tax liabilities, and lobbying on behalf of foreign entities without proceeding through the proper channels."

You can read the letter here:

The House Republicans said they were concerned DOJ "has an actual conflict of interest and certainly has the appearance of a conflict of interest that could prevent a fair and impartial investigation of his activities."

"We believe that in the case of Hunter Biden a special counsel must be appointed to preserve the integrity of this investigation and any subsequent prosecution. A special counsel would also ensure there is no bias in the investigation or undue influence from the White House," the lawmakers added.

A Trump holdover, U.S. Attorney David Weiss, has been leading the probe since late 2018 and was allowed by Garland to continue when other Trump appointees were asked to resign last year.

While support for a special counsel has been growing, some Republicans like Sen. Ron Johnson argue it isn't necessary and would only further delay an already slow moving investigation.

"I won't have any faith in him," Johnson said of a special counsel.