Gaetz asks Garland if he's 'confident' Hunter Biden no longer selling 'appearance of access' to dad

House GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz on Wednesday pressed Attorney General Merrick Garland on whether he was "confident" first son Hunter Biden, the subject of a Justice Department case, has stopped selling the "appearance of access" to his father President Joe Biden.

Garland responded during the House Judiciary Committee hearing that he would not comment on the matter and that he does not intend to interfere with the department's investigation of the first son.

The question by the Florida lawmaker came early in a hearing on whether, or what extent, the department, under Garland's leadership, has become "politicized and weaponized."

Gaetz also pointed out Hunter Biden's art career flourished after his father became president. 

Near the start of the hearing, Garland was asked by Louisiana GOP Rep. Mike Johnson whether he had any "personal contact with anyone at FBI headquarters about the Hunter Biden investigation?"

Garland replied: "I don't recollect the answer to that question, but the FBI works for the Justice Department."

Johnson interrupted: "I'm sorry. You don't recollect whether you've talked with anybody at FBI headquarters about an investigation into the president's son?"

Garland responded: "I don't believe that I did."

The attorney general also said he has "kept that promise" not to interfere with special counsel David Weiss' investigation of Hunter Biden, who was indicted last week on federal gun charges.

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