House Republicans demanded Friday that Hunter Biden appear this month for a closed-door deposition, rejecting his offer to testify publicly while pledging to release a transcript of the private interview for transparency.
Quick Read
- Hunter Biden’s Testimony Request: House Republicans demanded that Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden’s son, appear for a closed-door deposition, despite his offer to testify publicly.
- Subpoena Details: The demand was reiterated in a letter from House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer and Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan, following a subpoena issued last month.
- Hunter Biden’s Response: Hunter Biden refused the request for closed-door testimony, citing concerns about manipulation of information. His attorney, Abbe Lowell, criticized the investigation as a “fishing expedition.”
- Republican Chairs’ Stance: Comer and Jordan insisted on a private deposition, stating that this approach is consistent with both Republican and Democratic practices in past witness depositions.
- Transparency Measures: Republicans pledged to release a transcript of the private interview to ensure transparency.
- Legal Team’s Strategy: Hunter Biden’s legal team has adopted a more assertive approach recently in response to the congressional Republicans’ impeachment inquiry linked to his business dealings.
- No Direct Evidence Against President Biden: To date, Republicans have not found direct evidence implicating President Joe Biden in any wrongdoing related to his son’s business activities.
- Inquiry into Biden Family’s Business: The investigation focuses on alleged “influence peddling” in the Biden family’s international business dealings, particularly with overseas clients.
- Subpoena for James Biden: Republicans are also in talks with the attorney for the president’s brother, James Biden, to schedule his subpoenaed testimony.
- Democrats’ Opposition: The subpoenas and the investigation have been strongly opposed by Democrats, and the White House has questioned their legitimacy.
- Potential Vote on Inquiry Authorization: Republicans are considering a vote to formally authorize the impeachment inquiry, aiming to strengthen their legal position. However, this is a risky move due to the slim Republican majority in the House and unanimous opposition from Democrats.
The Associated Press has the story:
House Republicans reiterate their demand for Hunter Biden to appear for a private deposition
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP)
House Republicans demanded Friday that Hunter Biden appear this month for a closed-door deposition, rejecting his offer to testify publicly while pledging to release a transcript of the private interview for transparency.
House Oversight Committee chair James Comer and Judiciary Committee chair Jim Jordan reiterated the parameters of the subpoena issued last month to Hunter Biden in a letter — obtained by The Associated Press — to his attorney. The president’s son refused their request this week for closed-door testimony, saying it could be manipulated.
“The subpoenas Mr. Biden has received compel him to appear before the Committees for a deposition; they are not mere suggestions open to Mr. Biden’s interpretation or preference,” the Republican chairmen wrote in a letter to attorney Abbe Lowell.
Lowell this week had called the nearly yearslong GOP investigation into his client a “fishing expedition,” but offered for his client to appear publicly rather than behind closed doors, saying closed sessions can be selectively leaked and used to manipulate the facts.
His response to the committee was in line with the more forceful approach Hunter Biden’s legal team has taken in recent months as congressional Republicans pursue an impeachment inquiry seeking to tie his father to his business dealings.
But Comer and Jordan reiterated their initial request, saying they are conforming with the approach Republican and Democratic majorities have historically taken when deposing witnesses.
“Mr. Biden seems to believe that he should be treated differently than other witnesses before the Committees,” the men wrote.
Lowell did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The early-November subpoenas to Hunter Biden and others were the inquiry’s most aggressive steps yet, testing the reach of congressional oversight powers.
Republicans have so far failed to uncover evidence directly implicating President Joe Biden in any wrongdoing. But questions have arisen about the ethics surrounding the Biden family’s international business, and lawmakers insist their evidence paints a troubling picture of “influence peddling” in the family’s business dealings, particularly with clients overseas.
Republicans have also spoken with an attorney for the president’s brother, James Biden,to determine a date for his subpoenaed testimony, Jordan said this week. The subpoenas to the Biden family members and others, including former business associate Rob Walker, are bitterly opposed by Democrats, and the White House has called for them to be withdrawn and questioned their legitimacy.
The criticism has pushed Republicans to consider holding a vote this month to formally authorize their inquiry in an effort to strengthen their legal standing if the subpoena battle drags into court.
But holding a vote on the impeachment investigation would be a risky move by House Republican leaders, who have not yet been able to garner enough support for the inquiry in their narrow 222-213 majority. With Democrats united against the impeachment push, GOP leaders would need near-unanimous support from their side for the vote to succeed.
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