House Republicans have invited Hunter Biden and his former business associates to appear at a public hearing later in March as part of the next step in their lengthy impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.
Quick Read
- Invitation for Public Hearing: House Republicans have invited Hunter Biden and his former business associates to testify at a public hearing on March 20 as part of their impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.
- Focus of the Investigation: The inquiry has concentrated on Hunter Biden’s business dealings in Ukraine and China, exploring ethically questionable behavior but not yet proving misconduct by Joe Biden.
- Hunter Biden’s Stance: Hunter Biden, preferring a public hearing to avoid distortions of his private deposition, has already undergone a lengthy private session with the committee.
- Uncertainty on Attendance: It is not confirmed whether Hunter Biden or his associates will attend the proposed hearing date.
- GOP’s Expectations: Despite Hunter Biden’s denial of any wrongdoing by himself or his father during his deposition, House Republicans, led by Rep. James Comer, anticipate his participation in the hearing, citing previous public requests by Hunter Biden for such an opportunity.
- Contradictory Statements: The decision to conduct a public hearing stems from what Republicans perceive as inconsistencies between Hunter Biden’s deposition and statements from his former business partners.
The Associated Press has the story:
House Republicans invite Hunter Biden for a public hearing in mid-March
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP) —
House Republicans have invited Hunter Biden and his former business associates to appear at a public hearing later in March as part of the next step in their lengthy impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.
The House Oversight and Accountability Committee announced it will hold a hearing on March 20 that is expected to include an appearance by the president’s son and three former associates.
The 14-month investigation into the Biden family has primarily focused on Hunter Biden’s overseas work in countries such as Ukraine and China. While lawmakers have unearthed ethically questionable behavior by the president’s son and other family members, Republicans have yet to produce evidence of misconduct by Joe Biden while in public office.
Hunter Biden and his lawyer had insisted late last year that he appear for a public hearing instead of the private deposition he sat for last week that lasted more than seven hours, citing concerns that GOP lawmakers would distort his interview. The two sides ultimately agreed to a sit-down testimony first, followed by a public hearing.
It remains unclear whether Hunter Biden or any of the others have agreed to this proposed date by Republicans.
A request for comment from Biden’s representatives was not immediately returned Wednesday.
GOP Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, chairman of the Oversight and Accountability Committee, said he expects Hunter Biden to appear, “given the president’s son’s repeated calls for a public hearing.”
The transcript of Hunter Biden’s deposition provided a preview of what is surely to come if or when he appears for a public hearing. Biden was defiant throughout the private interview as Republican questions touched on business matters and his personal life, which has included times of addiction and turmoil.
“It seems to me that the Republican members wanted to spend more time talking about my client’s addiction than they could ask any question that had anything to do with what they call their impeachment inquiry,” Abbe Lowell, Hunter Biden’s attorney, told reporters last week.
Hunter Biden denied under oath that his father ever financially benefited or participated in any of his son’s business work.
Republicans were undeterred by Hunter Biden’s repudiation of their investigation and the lack of a direct evidence to Joe Biden from anything that younger Biden did in his financial affairs.
Comer justified holding a public hearing later this month by saying that during the deposition that Hunter Biden made several statements that were contradictory to testimony from his former business associates.
