House GOP chairmen threaten to hold Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress
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Hunter Biden departs the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building on July 26 in Wilmington, Delaware. Photo: Mark Makela/Getty Images
A pair of House GOP committee chairmen on Wednesday threatened to initiate contempt of Congress proceedings if Hunter Biden does not agree to give a closed-door deposition next week.
Why it matters: It's the second time that House Republicans have rebuffed Biden's offer to testify publicly in front of the committee that is leading the impeachment inquiry into President Biden.
- In a letter to Hunter Biden's lawyer, Abbe Lowell, House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) and House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) denied that Biden had a "choice" to make and stated that he is compelled to appear for the deposition.
- "If Mr. Biden does not appear for his deposition on December 13, 2023, the Committees will initiate contempt of Congress proceedings," he wrote.
Driving the news: Earlier Wednesday, Hunter Biden reiterated his desire to testify publicly before the House Oversight Committee, alleging that the panel has used closed-door sessions to "distort" key information in its probe.
- The new request from Hunter Biden's lawyer comes after House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) last week rejected his offer to give public testimony before the committee that is leading the impeachment inquiry into President Biden.
- Lowell wrote in a letter to Comer Wednesday that the president's son would be willing to appear before the committee on Dec. 13 or another date this month.
- "He is making this choice because the Committee has demonstrated time and again it uses closed-door sessions to manipulate, even distort, the facts and misinform the American public—a hearing would ensure transparency and truth in these proceedings," Lowell stated.
The big picture: House Republicans subpoenaed Hunter Biden last month as part of their impeachment inquiry into President Biden, which focuses on the president's purported involvement in Hunter Biden's business dealings.
- The impeachment inquiry has not yet produced direct evidence of any wrongdoing by the president, but House Republicans are planning to hold a formal vote to authorize the inquiry.
- A staff report released this week from the GOP-led committees leading the investigation alleged the Department of Justice gave preferential, "kid-glove" treatment to Hunter Biden.
- However, the report did not present evidence showing that the Biden administration meddled in the DOJ probe.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with Comer's response to Hunter Biden's lawyer's letter.
