GOP Investigators to Pursue Contempt Charges as Hunter Biden Defies Subpoena for Closed-Door Testimony
GOP investigators to pursue contempt proceedings against Hunter Biden for defying subpoena in closed-door testimony Republican chairman asserts Biden's refusal to testify publicly warrants disciplinary action Impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden intensifies
The Republican chairman leading the impeachment inquiry of President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that they will be taking action against Hunter Biden for refusing to participate in his closed-door deposition and demanding to testify publicly. House Oversight Chair James Comer and House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan stated in a joint release that they will be initiating contempt of Congress proceedings against Hunter Biden for defying lawful subpoenas and emphasized that no special treatment will be given to him because of his last name.
Hunter Biden, the president's son, made a public statement on Wednesday, acknowledging that he has "made mistakes." He also criticized House Republicans for attempting to "dehumanize" him in order to bring embarrassment and harm to his father. "For six years, I have been the target of relentless attacks from the Trump camp, with their constant shouts of 'Where's Hunter?' Well, here is my response - I am here," Biden stated to reporters outside the Capitol.
House Republicans had requested the presence of Hunter Biden to participate in a closed-door deposition on Wednesday morning. He is expected to answer questions related to his involvement in his family's foreign business dealings as part of the investigation into whether the president committed an impeachable offense.
On December 13, 2023, Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, spoke to the media outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. He chose not to comply with a subpoena from Congress to testify in a closed-door session prior to a House vote on an impeachment inquiry involving his father.
What does criminal contempt of Congress entail?
Hunter Biden stated that he is prepared to testify in a public setting as part of the GOP-led inquiry into the president. However, he did not confirm whether he would be willing to participate in a closed-door deposition with House Republicans.
To hold someone in criminal contempt of Congress for evading a subpoena, a specific process must be followed. The Oversight and Judiciary panels will need to convene another meeting for committee members to vote on the contempt resolution. Following that, the contempt report would be brought to the House floor for a vote.
If the full House votes in favor of holding the president's son in criminal contempt of Congress, the matter would then be referred to the Department of Justice for a decision on whether to prosecute.
Hunter Biden defended his father, stating, "I want to make it clear that my father had no financial involvement in my business ventures. This includes his role as a lawyer, board member of Burisma, partnership with a Chinese businessman, or any of my domestic and international investments, and certainly not as an artist."
Hunter Biden's legal team informed the House Republicans on the Oversight and Judiciary committees that he is willing to testify by the December 13 deadline, but only if it is done publicly. The House Republicans are adamant about speaking to him behind closed doors first.
Hunter Biden was reportedly in Washington, DC, according to CNN's Tuesday report, but it remained uncertain until shortly before the scheduled deposition whether the president's son would be in attendance. The deposition deadline coincides with the House Republicans' expected vote on their resolution to formalize an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.
Hunter emphasized that during the peak of his addiction, he was reckless with his finances. However, he firmly rejected the idea of an impeachment inquiry being based on this behavior, calling it shameless and absurd. He clarified that there is no evidence to support the allegations of his father's financial involvement in his business, as it simply did not occur. This story and headline have been revised to include latest developments.
CNNs Kristin Wilson, Haley Talbot, Shania Shelton and Evan Perez contributed to this report.
