Hunter Biden challenged the demands from Republicans for his testimony before Congress on December 13th, offering to appear publicly instead of behind closed doors. His lawyer criticized the “fishing expedition” nature of the inquiry, emphasizing Hunter Biden’s willingness to cooperate. Nevertheless, the House Oversight Committee chairman, Rep. James Comer, maintained that Republicans expect “full cooperation” with their demand for a deposition.
Republican lawmakers are seeking to tie Hunter Biden’s business dealings to his father, President Joe Biden, and have issued subpoenas not only to Hunter Biden but also to his uncle James Biden and former business associate Rob Walker. The subpoenas elicited opposition from Democrats and a call from the White House for their withdrawal, asserting that House Republicans should concentrate on American families rather than the president’s family.
Despite Hunter Biden’s willingness to testify publicly, Republicans insisted on a private deposition followed by a public hearing. Hunter Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, argued that closed-door sessions can be “selectively leaked and used to manipulate the facts,” advocating for transparency in the proceedings. However, the congressional probe unfolds, the President has maintained focus on governing and his policy achievements while expressing support for his son.
Hunter Biden’s response comes as he battles a series of lawsuits against Republican allies of former President Donald Trump and a criminal case into the next year. A recent poll found that a significant portion of U.S. adults believe Joe Biden acted illegally or unethically in relation to his son’s business dealings. Additionally, Hunter Biden faces firearms felonies related to a 2018 gun purchase during a period of acknowledged drug addiction, and the potential for new tax charges in California, where he now resides.
Amid these legal challenges, Hunter Biden has offered to publicly testify before Congress, while Republicans have upheld their stance on a private deposition first and pushed for cooperation from the Biden family. The contentious relationship between Republicans and the Biden family, alongside the ongoing criminal case and special counsel probe, presents politically fraught territory for the President. Nonetheless, President Biden remains committed to maintaining his focus on governing and his policy agenda.
