Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, has come forward with accusations against GOP leaders, asserting that they have utilized his father's affection towards him as a political weapon. This claim emerges amidst an ongoing Republican-led probe into the Biden family's financial activities.
In a recent statement, Hunter Biden expressed his perspective to Axios, stating, "Republicans weaponized my dad's love for me and turned his greatest strengths - his compassion, his empathy, his authenticity - into evidence of corrupt complicity." He added, "They've made it really hard for people to square that circle, which is why the [former President Trump's] cult is obsessed with me."
This development follows the House's formal approval of an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, with a vote of 221-212 strictly along party lines. The inquiry, initiated by House Republicans, seeks to investigate allegations that the president profited from his son's foreign business dealings during his tenure as Vice President.
Hunter Biden, in a brief appearance at the Capitol, chose to deliver a public statement instead of complying with a scheduled closed-door deposition following a subpoena from House Republicans. In his statement, he reiterated that his father was not "financially involved" in his business affairs, countering GOP allegations.
The president's son emphasized his dual responsibilities: maintaining sobriety and defending his father. He stated, "My mistakes are in spite of him - not a reflection of him. And that's why I need to call out their lies as loud and often as possible going forward."
Sources familiar with Hunter Biden's team suggest that his defensive stance might positively impact President Biden's public image and voter appeal.
House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) and House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), leading the investigation, have pledged to hold Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress for evading the deposition.
The inquiry, which commenced informally three months ago, has drawn criticism from President Biden, who labeled it a "baseless political stunt." The White House's response to subpoena requests, citing the need for a full House vote, has fueled the Republican argument for a formal inquiry.
To date, no concrete evidence has been produced that President Biden engaged in corrupt activities. The investigation primarily focuses on Hunter Biden's business ventures in Ukraine and China during his father's vice presidency. Although ethical questions have been raised, direct evidence of President Biden's involvement remains elusive.
