In a recent development, Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, has expressed his willingness to testify before the House Oversight Committee but with a condition—it must be in a public setting. This response comes after Chairman James Comer issued a subpoena earlier this month, seeking to depose Hunter Biden on December 13 as part of the committee’s ongoing impeachment inquiry into President Biden.
In a letter addressed to Republican lawmakers on Tuesday, Hunter Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, accused Chairman Comer of selectively leaking information from closed-door depositions with other witnesses, alleging manipulation and distortion of facts. Lowell asserted that the committee’s closed-door sessions have been used to misinform the public and proposed a shift towards transparency, stating, “We therefore propose opening the door.”
Lowell continued by urging the committee to conclude what he referred to as an “empty investigation” that has consumed significant resources. “Your empty investigation has gone on too long wasting too many better-used resources. It should come to an end,” he wrote. Hunter Biden’s attorney also extended an offer for his client to appear at a public hearing on the scheduled date of December 13 or any other date in December that could be mutually arranged.
Chairman Comer had previously announced subpoenas on November 8, targeting not only Hunter Biden but also his brother James Biden and former business associate Rob Walker. Comer justified the subpoenas by stating, “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.”
Lowell dismissed the subpoenas as a “political stunt” and emphasized Hunter Biden’s eagerness to address the matters in a public forum at the right time. This move by Hunter Biden comes amidst growing criticism of the committee’s impeachment inquiry, with some Republicans asserting that the nearly yearlong investigation has failed to produce sufficient evidence for impeachment.
The White House, in a detailed memo, accused House Republicans of abusing their power to conduct a smear campaign against President Biden and his family. The memo characterized the committee’s actions as desperation, suggesting that after failing to produce evidence supporting their allegations, they are now “throwing spaghetti” at the wall.
The standoff between Hunter Biden and the Oversight Committee underscores the broader debate surrounding the transparency and legitimacy of the impeachment inquiry. Hunter Biden’s insistence on a public testimony reflects a desire to counteract what his attorney perceives as a flawed and biased investigative process.
As the December 13 date approaches, the decision on whether the testimony will be held in public or closed-door sessions remains uncertain. The outcome of this clash will not only impact the trajectory of the impeachment inquiry but also set a precedent for the transparency and fairness of congressional investigations into high-profile individuals.