House Republicans Push to Hold Hunter Biden in Contempt for Refusing to Testify
House Republicans are taking action against Hunter Biden for his refusal to testify before lawmakers regarding his business dealings. In a joint statement, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan stated that Hunter Biden had defied two valid subpoenas. As a result, the House of Representatives will move forward with holding him in contempt of Congress until he agrees to appear for a private deposition.
House Republicans Accuse Hunter Biden of Violating Federal Law
Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, is seen after making a statement during a news conference outside the U.S. Capitol about testifying publicly to the House Oversight and Accountability Committee on Wednesday, December 13, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability and House Judiciary Committee recently passed a resolution recommending that the House of Representatives find Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress for defying a lawful subpoena. The joint statement from Comer and Jordan emphasized that House Republicans have been persistent in their demand for Hunter Biden to testify in the ongoing impeachment inquiry. They expressed disappointment that he failed to appear for his deposition on December 13, 2023, instead opting to make a public statement at the U.S. Capitol without taking any questions. This week, at the Oversight Committee’s markup of his contempt resolution, Hunter Biden continued to defy subpoenas.
Hunter Biden has consistently denied any financial involvement by his father, President Joe Biden, in his business dealings, including his work with Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma Holdings and Chinese firms.
On Friday, Hunter Biden’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, informed the House Oversight and House Judiciary Committees that if a new subpoena is issued under the “duly authorized impeachment inquiry,” Hunter Biden will comply with a hearing or deposition.
Hunter Biden’s Offer to Testify Publicly Rejected
Hunter Biden, center, and his attorneys Abbe Lowell, right, and Kevin Morris, left, arrive for the House Oversight and Accountability Committee markup titled “Resolution Recommending That The House Of Representatives Find Robert Hunter Biden In Contempt Of Congress,” in Rayburn Building on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Hunter Biden had offered to testify publicly before his subpoenaed deposition on December 13. However, Comer and Jordan rejected this offer, asserting that he would not receive special treatment. They pointed out that numerous other witnesses had complied with their interviews and depositions as required. Comer and Jordan vowed to release the transcript of Hunter Biden’s deposition.
Despite the subpoena, Hunter Biden delivered a public statement outside the Capitol, claiming that his father was not financially involved in his business.
White House Stands by Hunter Biden
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre expressed the support of President Biden and first lady Jill Biden for their son’s efforts to rebuild his life. The White House has consistently maintained that the President had no knowledge of his son’s business dealings.
Comer and Jordan stated that they would work to schedule a deposition date for Hunter Biden but would not tolerate any further delays or stunts. They emphasized that the American people and the House of Representatives would not grant special treatment to the Biden family.
Fox News Digital’s Thomas Catenacci and Brooke Singman contributed to this report.
