On Wednesday, Hunter Biden declined an invitation to testify before the House Oversight Committee in a public hearing next week as part of the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, leading a top Republican to say the panel called the first son’s “bluff” and would carry on with the event.
Abbe Lowell, a lawyer for Hunter Biden, wrote a letter to Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-KY) saying neither he nor his client could make the hearing set for March 20 because of a court hearing in California the next day.
“The scheduling conflict is the least of the issues, however,” Lowell said, adding, “Your blatant planned-for-media event is not a proper proceeding but an obvious attempt to throw a Hail Mary pass after the game has ended.”
News: Hunter Biden’s legal team informed Comer in a letter today that he will not attend a March 20 public hearing pic.twitter.com/P9jXwfpY7k
— Jordain Carney (@jordainc) March 13, 2024
Hunter Biden had demanded a public hearing and even showed up on Capitol Hill a couple of times to push for such an arrangement, but ultimately, he agreed to participate in a deposition two weeks ago while under threat of being held in contempt of Congress for defying subpoenas. A transcript was released soon afterward.
Comer previously said he would be open to a public hearing, but only after the deposition. Then, as Hunter Biden’s deposition came to a close in late February, Comer said the “next phase” of the impeachment inquiry would be a public hearing as some “contradictory statements” needed to be reviewed.
The announcement for the public hearing, which was made last week, showed Hunter Biden was invited to testify. The other witnesses included Biden family business associates Devon Archer, Tony Bobulinski, and Jason Galanis.
In his letter, Lowell chided some of the others invited to testify and stressed that Hunter Biden said his father was “never involved in or derived any financial benefit” from his businesses. These claims were “backed up by an accurate reference to the records in the Committee’s possession,” he added.
Lowell concluded by telling Comer, “If you are serious about pursuing this oversight purpose in a legitimate and bipartisan fashion, you would hold a hearing with relatives of former President Trump about whom you indicated you ‘would ask.’ If you do, Mr. Biden would consider an invitation for that event.”
Comer released a statement saying the oversight panel called Hunter Biden’s “bluff” because he had previously called for a public hearing but has declined to attend now that one has been scheduled.
🚨STATEMENT🚨 @GOPoversight has called Hunter Biden’s bluff. For months he wanted a public hearing, but now that one has been offered alongside his business associates, he is refusing to come.
Next week’s hearing is moving forward and we fully expect Hunter to participate.👇 pic.twitter.com/W34Dgs4pdD
— Rep. James Comer (@RepJamesComer) March 13, 2024
“During our deposition and interview phase of our investigation, Hunter Biden confirmed key evidence, including evidence that his father, President Joe Biden, lied to the American people about his family’s business dealings and in fact attended meetings, spoke on speakerphone, and had coffee with his foreign business associates who collectively funneled millions to the Bidens,” Comer said.
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“However, parts of Hunter Biden’s testimony contradict the testimonies of Devon Archer, Jason Galanis, and Tony Bobulinski. Next week’s hearing with Hunter Biden and his associates is moving forward and we fully expect Hunter Biden to participate,” he added. “The American people demand the truth and accountability for the Bidens’ corruption.”
Beyond the impeachment inquiry, Hunter Biden faces criminal indictments that branched out of an investigation led by special counsel David Weiss. He has pleaded not guilty to federal gun and tax charges.