Associated Press
Hunter Biden on Wednesday defied a congressional subpoena to appear privately for a deposition before Republican investigators who have been digging into his business dealings, insisting outside the U.S. Capitol that he will only testify in public.
In a rare public statement, the Democratic President’s son slammed a GOP subpoena requesting closed-door testimony, saying it could be manipulated.
“Republicans do not want an open process where Americans can see their tactics, expose their baseless inquiry, or hear what I have to say,” Biden said outside the Capitol. “What are they afraid of? I am here.”
Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, has said Republicans expect “full cooperation” with the private deposition. Comer and Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, the chair of the House Judiciary Committee, told reporters later Wednesday that they will begin looking at contempt of Congress proceedings in response to Hunter Biden’s lack of cooperation.
“He just got into more trouble today,” Comer said.
For months, Republicans have been pursuing an impeachment inquiry seeking to tie President Joe Biden to his son Hunter’s business dealings. So far, they have failed to uncover evidence directly implicating President Biden in any wrongdoing.
Democrats have been united against the Republican impeachment push, saying it’s “an illegitimate exercise” merely meant to distract from GOP chaos and dysfunction.
“We are at a remarkable juncture for the U.S. House of Representatives,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee. “Because this is an impeachment inquiry where no one has been able to define what criminal or constitutional offense they’re looking for.”
But questions have arisen about the ethics surrounding the Biden family’s international business, and lawmakers insist their evidence paints a troubling picture of “influence peddling” in their business dealings, particularly with clients overseas.
“There is no evidence to support the allegations that my father was financially involved in my business because it did not happen,” Hunter Biden said.
Separately, Hunter Biden is facing criminal charges in two states from a special counsel overseeing a long-running investigation. He’s charged with firearm counts in Delaware, alleging he broke laws against drug users having guns in 2018, a period when he has acknowledged struggling with addiction. Special counsel David Weiss also filed new charges and nine new tax counts last week, alleging he schemed to avoid paying about $1.4 million in taxes over a three-year period.
Later Wednesday, the House is expected to authorize the impeachment inquiry into the President. House Republicans are hoping a vote to formalize their investigation will help their legal standing when enforcing subpoenas to Hunter Biden and other Biden family members.
“Mr. Biden’s counsel and the White House have both argued that the reason he couldn’t come for a deposition was because there wasn’t a formal vote for an impeachment inquiry,” Jordan told reporters. “Well, that’s going to happen in a few hours.”
He added, “And when that happens, we’ll see what their excuse is then.”
The White House has chalked the whole process up as a “partisan smear campaign” that Republicans are pushing ahead with “despite the fact that members of their own party have admitted there is no evidence to support impeaching President Biden.”
“If they press onwards with this baseless fishing expedition, it only proves how divorced from reality this sham investigation is, and will come at the expense of meaningful work to actually address the issues the American people care about, like lowering costs, creating jobs, and strengthening our health care,” White House spokesperson Ian Sams said in a recent statement.
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Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
11 comments
Abram Nicholson
December 13, 2023 at 4:11 pm
My question is…”Why are the Republicans afraid of a public inquiry? I’d guess they have everything to hide and their lies cannot stand the light of day, or exposure to the public.
Richard Russell
December 13, 2023 at 4:44 pm
The same procedure the Trumps were required to do, is the same being required of Hunter – but as a Dem, you think its always going to be a totally one sided justice system forever – think again.
Julia
December 13, 2023 at 5:00 pm
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WhatNow
December 13, 2023 at 5:02 pm
Not “the same” in *any* manner. An entirely different ball of wax lol.
Michael K
December 13, 2023 at 4:19 pm
Gym Jordan, who has refused a Congressional subpoena, is calling out the President’s son, who has agreed to appear in public Congressional testimony? Why are the Republicans so afraid of public testimony? And, exactly, are they basing impeachment on?
With both of Trump impeachments, we knew exactly what the basis was: 1) withholding foreign aid in exchange for political dirt on an opponent, and 2) inciting a violent insurrection at the Capitol and attempt to overturn the 2020 election.
Earl Pitts "The "Ronald's" Un-Official Campaigne Manager" American
December 13, 2023 at 4:34 pm
Good Afternoon America,
IN REGARDS TO HUNTER:
LOCK HIM UP, LOCK HIM UP, LOCK HIM UP.
Thank you America,
Earl Pitts American
Richard Russell
December 13, 2023 at 4:42 pm
Trump’s sons had the integrity to show up for their Subpoenas but Biden’s son can’t. If anyone’s would be a setup, the ones for Trumps would have been and may have been but they showed up, anyway. Little Hunter is a true chicken s…, dirtbag, doper who will have to face the music. Daddy will not be around to shield him. Do you think the Secret Service will want to protect him in the “big house? Daddy will have his own “big house” problems when all the verdicts come in.
SteveHC
December 13, 2023 at 5:06 pm
You can post a million comments that ignore the *actual* major, significant differences between cases but none will convince anyone.
Michael K
December 13, 2023 at 6:30 pm
What are you talking about? There is no record of either Trump soin testifying under oath to Congress. Perhaps you are thinking of a criminal investigation?
Dont Say FLA
December 13, 2023 at 5:02 pm
Who was that Republican that was lambasting other Republicans, going “tell me one, just one, ONE thing we have done that I can campaign on?” whoever that was, here’s your thing. This GOP led House has managed to subpoena Hunter Biden. Again. Yay them.
Sonja Fitch
December 19, 2023 at 5:57 am
The American Way is enforced by “NO IS ABOVE THE LAW.” Not even Hunter but are Trump!
Comments are closed.