Despite showing up to Capitol Hill on Wednesday, Hunter Biden skipped a deposition with congressional investigators, likely paving the way to contempt of Congress proceedings that House Republicans have been threatening if he did not comply with a subpoena.
Addressing reporters outside the U.S. Capitol Building, Biden dared Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-KY) to allow him to appear for a public hearing instead to answer “legitimate” questions. “What are they afraid of? I’m here. I’m ready,” he said.
Because Biden’s lawyer had already made this offer multiple times, Comer has previously stated that he would only be satisfied with Biden appearing for a deposition. But the chairman has indicated that he would be open to having Biden appear for a public hearing — after the closed-door interview.
Hunter Biden: "Let me state as clearly as I can; my father was not financially involved in my business…I am here to testify at a public hearing today to answer any of the Committee's legitimate questions." pic.twitter.com/DHsTvtQCgm
— CSPAN (@cspan) December 13, 2023
Inside the Capitol, Comer said House Republicans have been conducting a “serious, credible, transparent investigation” since the beginning, emphasizing that they expect Biden to appear for a deposition. His colleague, Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), said lawmakers “will move in that direction” when asked if they would proceed to contempt of Congress proceedings, adding that their lawyers need to examine the issue and a report would have to be filed.
BREAKING: James Comer and Jim Jordan react to Hunter Biden's decision to skip today's closed-door deposition. pic.twitter.com/ygWKlNsRYK
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) December 13, 2023
Democrats voiced support for Biden’s gambit. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), the ranking member of the oversight panel, said a closed deposition would have meant “the public couldn’t see it” and allow Republicans to “cherry-pick” evidence and “distort” statements made during the interview.
.@RepRaskin: "We are disappointed that we were not able to hear from Hunter Biden today…President Biden has done nothing wrong. They have not laid a glove on President Biden and they have no evidence of him committing any offense, much less an impeachable offense." pic.twitter.com/XMd0FZfwdJ
— CSPAN (@cspan) December 13, 2023
Comer issued the subpoena as part of the corruption-focused impeachment inquiry into Biden’s father, President Joe Biden. Other subpoenas and interview requests have been sent out in recent weeks, including to the president’s brother, James Biden, as well as Hunter Biden’s art dealer and business associates.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP
During his press conference, the younger Biden denied that his father was “financially involved” in his business affairs, including in dealings abroad with people from China and Ukraine, as well as his investments domestically and work as an artist.
“I’m here today to make sure the House committee’s illegitimate investigations of my family do not proceed on distortions, manipulated evidence, and lies,” Biden said. “And I’m here today to acknowledge I have made mistakes in my life and wasted opportunities and privileges I was afforded. For that I am responsible. For that I am accountable. And for that, I am making amends.”
He also shot back at “the MAGA Right” for how they have portrayed him “for their political purposes” over the past several years, including his struggle with drug addiction, to go after his father.
Three panels — the Oversight, Judiciary, and Ways and Means Committees — have led the impeachment probe since mid-September, when then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) announced the endeavor. Congressional investigators have been looking into whether the business practices of Biden’s family members fostered corruption in government — spurred by a money trail showing millions of dollars from foreign countries — as well as the Department of Justice’s handling of a criminal probe into Hunter Biden.
The GOP-led House is expected to vote on formally authorizing the impeachment inquiry later in the day. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has described the step as necessary to combat alleged “stonewalling” by the White House. The elder Biden and his allies have denied wrongdoing by the president and claim the impeachment probe is tainted by politics.