After months of demanding a special counsel investigation into Hunter Biden, Republicans were outraged when Attorney General Merrick B. Garland appointed David C. Weiss, the Trump-appointed Delaware U.S. attorney, to the role. Despite their initial calls for Weiss to lead the inquiry, Republicans now claim that he "can't be trusted" and accuse the appointment of being a strategy to "whitewash the Biden family's corruption."

However, behind closed doors, some Republicans see the appointment as a victory. They believe that their efforts to elevate the Hunter Biden case have paid off, and that now they can push for the scandal to be seen on the same level as the controversies surrounding former President Donald J. Trump.

Weiss's appointment as special counsel comes after a plea agreement between him and Biden's attorneys fell apart. The deal included unusual details such as asking a judge to enforce a diversion agreement, and disagreements between the lawyers and prosecutors regarding potential further charges. Weiss's appointment as special counsel helps to ensure the independence and transparency of the investigation.

The Republican reaction to Weiss's appointment highlights the deeply ingrained opposition to the Justice Department within the party. While they publicly express outrage, privately some see the development as a victory for their agenda. Only time will tell how the investigation into Hunter Biden unfolds and whether it will live up to the expectations of those who demanded a special counsel in the first place.