Hunter Biden defies GOP subpoena in Capitol visit
WASHINGTON — Hunter Biden on Wednesday defied a congressional subpoena to appear privately for a deposition before Republican investigators who have been digging into his business dealings, insisting outside the U.S. Capitol that he will only testify in public.
In a rare public statement, the Democratic president’s son slammed a GOP sub- poena requesting closed- door testimony, saying it could be manipulated.
“Republicans do not want an open process where Americans can see their exercise” meant to distract period when he has acknowltactics, expose their base- from GOP dysfunction. edged struggling with addicless inquiry, or hear what I “We are at a remarkable tion. Special counsel David have to say,” Biden said out- juncture for the U.S. House Weiss also filed new charges side the Capitol. “What are of Representatives,” said and nine new tax counts last they afraid of? I am here.” Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top week, alleging he schemed
Rep. James Comer of Ken- Democrat on the Oversight to avoid paying about $1.4 tucky, the chairman of the Committee. “Because this million in taxes over a threeHouse Oversight Commit- is an impeachment inquiry year period. tee, has said Republicans where no one has been able House Republicans are expect “full cooperation” to define what criminal or hoping a vote to formalize with the private deposi- constitutional offense they’re their impeachment inquiry tion. Comer and Rep. Jim looking for.” into the president will help Jordan of Ohio, the chair of But questions have arisen their legal standing when the House Judiciary Com- about the ethics surround- enforcing subpoenas to mittee, told reporters later ing the Biden family’s inter- Hunter Biden and other Wednesday that they will national business, and law- Biden family members. begin looking at contempt makers insist their evidence “Mr. Biden’s counsel and of Congress proceedings in paints a troubling picture of the White House have both response to Hunter Biden’s “influence peddling” in their argued that the reason he lack of cooperation. business dealings, particu- couldn’t come for a depo
“He just got into more larly with clients overseas. sition was because there trouble today,” Comer said. “There is no evidence wasn’t a formal vote for an
For months, Republi- to support the allegations impeachment inquiry,” Jorcans have been pursuing that my father was finan- dan told reporters. “Well, an impeachment inquiry cially involved in my busi- that’s going to happen in a seeking to tie President Joe ness because it did not hap- few hours.”
Biden to his son Hunter’s pen,” Hunter Biden said. The White House has business dealings. So far, Separately, Hunter Biden called the process as a “parthey have failed to uncover is facing criminal charges tisan smear campaign” that evidence directly implicat- in two states from a spe- Republicans are pushing ing President Biden in any cial counsel overseeing a ahead with “despite the wrongdoing. long-running investigation. fact that members of their
Democrats have been He’s charged with firearm own party have admitted united against the Repub- counts in Delaware, alleging there is no evidence to suplican impeachment push, he broke laws against drug port impeaching President saying it’s “an illegitimate users having guns in 2018, a Biden.”