Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, has agreed to testify before the House Oversight Committee. The appearance, slated for December 13, comes in response to a subpoena issued by House Republicans as part of an investigation into his business dealings. However, in a notable deviation from the norm, Hunter Biden's legal team has insisted that his testimony be conducted in a public forum, rather than the initially proposed closed-door session.
The decision to testify publicly was confirmed through a letter sent to the committee, which was later obtained by NBC News. Hunter Biden's attorney, Abbe Lowell, expressed concerns about the manipulation of facts in closed sessions. "We have seen you use closed-door sessions to manipulate, even distort the facts and misinform the public. We therefore propose opening the door," Lowell stated in the letter.
The subpoena earlier this month had originally summoned Hunter Biden for a closed-door transcribed interview. This move is part of the Republicans' broader impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, which has escalated in recent weeks. The committee, led by Chairman James Comer, has been at the forefront of these investigations, issuing multiple subpoenas targeting members of the president's family, including Hunter Biden, his uncle James Biden, and former business associate Rob Walker.
Chairman Comer, in a statement earlier this month, highlighted the committee's efforts: "The House Oversight Committee has followed the money and built a record of evidence revealing how Joe Biden knew, was involved, and benefited from his family's influence peddling schemes." Comer asserts that the committee's investigations are aimed at questioning the Bidens and their associates based on the gathered evidence.
However, Hunter Biden's attorney criticized the subpoenas as a "political stunt," while emphasizing Hunter's willingness to discuss these matters in a public setting. "Your empty investigation has gone on too long wasting too many better-used resources. It should come to an end," Lowell wrote. "Consequently, Mr. Biden will appear at such a public hearing on the date you noticed, December 13, or any date in December that we can arrange."
This inquiry into President Biden and his family has drawn criticism, including from some Republicans, for not producing sufficient evidence for impeachment. The White House has accused House Republicans of conducting a smear campaign against the president and his family, labeling their efforts as an abuse of power and an unproductive pursuit.
As the date for Hunter Biden's testimony approaches, it remains to be seen how this public hearing will impact the ongoing investigation and the broader political narrative surrounding the Biden family.
