A senior Republican accused President Joe Biden of trying to protect his son by nominating one of Hunter's former colleagues to lead the Office of Special Counsel.

Hampton Dellinger worked with Hunter Biden at a law firm involved with energy company Burisma Holdings.

He also served as assistant attorney general at the Department of Justice until June and on Tuesday was nominated by the White House as special counsel.

The move potentially puts him in charge of an office that protects whistleblowers.

Republicans were quick to call foul.