Hunter Biden, son of President Biden, made an unanticipated appearance at a House Oversight Committee meeting to address a resolution for his contempt of Congress. The resolution, if approved, could lead to a full House vote on holding him in contempt for defying a congressional subpoena related to the House impeachment inquiry against his father.
The House Oversight Committee convened on Wednesday to consider the resolution, stemming from Hunter Biden's non-compliance with a subpoena demanding his attendance at a closed-door deposition. Simultaneously, the House Judiciary Committee held a similar markup. Hunter Biden, alongside his attorney Abbe Lowell and Kevin Morris, attended the session, observing as committee members debated the resolution.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer accused Hunter Biden of criminal contempt for refusing to comply with subpoenas, stating, "Hunter Biden's willful refusal...is a criminal act...constitutes contempt of Congress." Comer emphasized equal treatment under the law, including for the Bidens.
In contrast, Hunter Biden had offered to testify publicly, which Chairmen Comer and Jim Jordan of the Judiciary Committee rejected. They maintained that Hunter Biden should not receive special treatment and pointed to numerous other witnesses who complied with their interviews and depositions as required.
The session saw heated exchanges, with Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., questioning Hunter Biden's courage and challenging his refusal to participate in a congressional deposition. Conversely, Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., suggested that if the committee truly wanted to hear from Hunter Biden, they should vote to do so immediately.
After Hunter Biden and his attorneys departed the markup session, Lowell addressed reporters, criticizing the Republicans' motives and handling of the situation. He highlighted multiple offers to cooperate with the House committees, accusing them of using the closed-door deposition to manipulate and misrepresent testimony for political gain.
The controversy extends beyond the committee room, as Comer and Jordan have expanded their investigation to probe whether President Biden was involved in his son's alleged defiance of the subpoena. Hunter Biden, in a public statement last month, denied his father's financial involvement in his business dealings.
This incident at the Capitol marks a critical moment in the ongoing impeachment inquiry against President Biden, led by Comer, Jordan, and House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo. The presence of Hunter Biden at the hearing has intensified the scrutiny and debate over the legitimacy and conduct of the inquiry.
