In preparation for his appearance before the House Judiciary Committee, former Trump-appointed US Attorney Robert Hur has surrounded himself with Republican partisans and notable figures linked to former president Donald Trump. Hur, who declined to prosecute President Joe Biden after classified materials were found in Biden's Delaware home and a former office in Washington, DC, will testify as a private citizen, having officially departed from the Department of Justice one day prior to his scheduled appearance.

The timing of Hur's departure has raised concerns among Democrats on the Judiciary Committee. Had he remained a federal employee, his testimony would have required approval from the DOJ, potentially limiting the scope of his statements. However, as a private citizen, Hur will have no constraints on his testimony.

Adding to the scrutiny is Hur's choice of associates during the lead-up to his appearance. He has enlisted the services of William Burck, a veteran Washington lawyer with strong ties to the Republican political establishment, as his counsel for the committee hearing. Burck, a former federal prosecutor, is well-connected in Republican circles and has represented several Trump White House officials during the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Hur and Burck, both acknowledged as Republican partisans, have not previously worked together. However, Hur has endorsed Burck's litigation skills on his LinkedIn page. Their history as Republican allies has sparked concerns among committee members, particularly considering Hur's role as Principle Associate Deputy Attorney General during Attorney General William Barr's efforts to minimize political fallout from the Mueller investigation.

Furthermore, Hur sought advice from former Trump-era DOJ spokesperson Sarah Isgur, who has since transitioned into journalism. Isgur's involvement in preparing Hur for his testimony has raised alarms among Democrats, as they view Hur's choice of associates as indicative of his alignment with Trump's team rather than upholding the nonpartisan nature of his role as a prosecutor.

Hannah Muldavin, a spokesperson for the Congressional Integrity Project, criticized Hur's choice of associates, suggesting that it points to his participation in a politically motivated campaign to help Donald Trump and damage Joe Biden in the 2024 election. Another source revealed that committee members anticipate Hur attempting to inflict political harm on Biden during his testimony.

Despite criticism from former prosecutors and legal ethics experts for his comments disparaging Biden in his report, committee members expect Hur to "double down" on his portrayal of Biden as a "well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory."

Hur's appearance before the House Judiciary Committee promises to be highly scrutinized as lawmakers confront his connections to Republican partisans and anticipate his attempts to undermine President Biden.