Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, made headlines on Wednesday as he defied a congressional subpoena and appeared at the House Oversight Committee’s meeting. The committee was considering a resolution that recommends holding Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress for his refusal to comply with the subpoena as part of the House impeachment inquiry against President Biden.
The House Oversight Committee met on Wednesday morning to discuss the resolution that would set up a full House vote on whether to hold Hunter Biden in contempt. Hunter Biden, accompanied by his attorneys, attended the meeting and sat in the audience. If the resolution advances out of committees, a full contempt of Congress vote on the House floor could take place soon.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican, accused Hunter Biden of violating federal law by defying the subpoenas and stated that his refusal to comply constitutes contempt of Congress. Comer emphasized that Hunter Biden should not receive special treatment because of his last name and that all Americans must be treated equally under the law.
Hunter Biden had offered to testify publicly before the committees, but his request was rejected by Comer and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan. They stressed that he would not receive special treatment and pointed out that other witnesses had appeared for their interviews and depositions as compelled. Comer and Jordan vowed to release the transcript of Hunter Biden’s deposition.
During the committee meeting, Democratic lawmakers requested that Hunter Biden take questions, but Republicans rejected the request. Republican Representative Nancy Mace criticized Hunter Biden’s defiance of the subpoena, calling it a display of white privilege and stating that he should be arrested. Mace emphasized that the rule of law applies to everyone, regardless of their last name or family connections.
Democratic Representative Jared Moskowitz countered Mace’s remarks, suggesting that if the committee wanted to hear from Hunter Biden, they should vote and hear from him immediately. Ultimately, Hunter Biden and his attorneys left the meeting before the vote on the resolution.
Hunter Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, addressed reporters after the meeting, stating that Hunter Biden had been used as a surrogate to attack his father and that their offers to work with the House committees had been ignored. Lowell described the resolution to hold Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress as unprecedented, considering his willingness to publicly answer all proper questions.
The investigation into Hunter Biden’s activities has expanded to probe whether President Biden was involved in his son’s defiance of the subpoena, with Republicans suggesting it could constitute an impeachable offense. Hunter Biden has maintained that his father was not financially involved in his business.
The House impeachment inquiry against President Biden was formalized by the full House recently and is being led by Comer, Jordan, and House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith. The developments surrounding Hunter Biden’s defiance of the subpoena and the potential contempt of Congress resolution have added fuel to the ongoing political discourse surrounding the Biden administration.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Congress will proceed with the resolution and whether Hunter Biden’s appearance and refusal to comply with the subpoena will impact the House impeachment inquiry against President Biden.
Brooke Singman is a political correspondent and reporter for Digital, Channel, and FOX Business, providing the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail and exclusive interviews.
