WASHINGTON – Responding to a House subpoena, Hunter Biden stated on Tuesday that he is open to testifying about his overseas business deals at an open hearing instead of a closed-door deposition. His lawyer asserted that a closed-door process would be biased and prevent an open discussion.
However, House Oversight and Accountability Committee chairman Rep. James Comer indicated that Biden will initially be expected to testify in confidence, as requested. Comer had previously subpoenaed the president’s son to testify about his business dealings in Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine during his father’s time as vice president.
Biden’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, accused the three House Republican chairmen investigating Hunter Biden of making baseless claims. Lowell offered to have Biden testify at a public hearing in December instead of a closed-door deposition to address Comer’s attempts to link the business deals to President Joe Biden.
In response, Comer reiterated that Hunter Biden is still expected to participate in a confidential deposition, but also agreed that Biden should have the opportunity to testify in a public setting in the future. Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, left the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building in Wilmington, Delaware, on October 3, 2023.
Comer has accused Hunter Biden of being involved in a web of shell companies that received millions of dollars from foreign entities and funneled money to his father. The accusations are central to an impeachment inquiry against President Biden. Comer outlined several allegations, including private dinner attendances and financial transactions, and stated that Hunter Biden has “personal knowledge” of his father’s involvement in the family’s business, further justifying the subpoena for testimony.
Lowell responded to the subpoena, refuting several of the latest accusations from the House chairmen during a November 1 joint appearance on Fox News, and instead suggested to have the testimony at an open hearing. He opted to appear for the testimony on a date that is agreeable in the near future.
The back-and-forth between Hunter Biden, his lawyer, and the House Republicans has further intensified the already contentious debate surrounding the ongoing investigation.
