GOP Committees ‘Welcome’ Hunter Biden’s ‘New Willingness’ to Testify After Snub
GOP Committees ‘Welcome’ Hunter Biden’s ‘New Willingness’ to Testify After Snub
It remains unclear if the president’s son will face contempt of Congress charges; sources say they could be paused in light of his cooperation
Published |Updated
Zachary Leeman and Stephen Neukam
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 10:Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, flanked by Kevin Morris, left, and Abbe Lowell, right, attend a House Oversight Committee meeting on January 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. The committee is meeting today as it considers citing him for Contempt of Congress. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images) Kent Nishimura/Getty Images
House Republicans indicated they are prepared to issue a new subpoena for Hunter Biden to testify following his new “willingness” to cooperate after his refusal to comply last month.
Biden said Friday he would be willing to appear before the House Oversight Committee — provided a new subpoena is issued
“The Committees welcome Mr. Biden’s newfound willingness to testify in a deposition setting under subpoena,” stated a letter from House Judiciary and Oversight Chairs Jim Jordan and James Comer to Biden’s lawyer.
“Although the Committee’s subpoenas are lawful and remain legally enforceable, as an accommodation to Mr. Biden and at your request, we are prepared to issue [new] subpoenas compelling Mr. Biden’s appearance at a deposition on a new date in the coming weeks.”
It remains unclear if Republicans will move forward with a vote on contempt of Congress charges against Biden next week as originally planned. That vote follows votes by the committees to recommend the charge.
Multiple sources with knowledge of the situation told The Messenger that Republican lawmakers running the impeachment inquiry will “recommend to leadership” that contempt charges against Hunter Biden be paused — if he cooperates, and a deposition date is actually put on the books and complied with.
The letter promises Hunter Biden no “special treatment.” It also indicates that Hunter Biden’s lawyer has said he’s willing to testify under deposition.
Last month, Biden was set to testify for Republicans on Capitol Hill, but instead showed up and held a press conference. He accused Republicans of exploiting his past addiction and his father’s support in order to score political points.
The president’s son demanded a public hearing, which was echoes by his lawyer when Hunter Biden made a brief appearance at the House hearing focused on his potential contempt of Congress charges.
Republicans are accusing President Joe Biden of having direct involvement in his son’s foreign business dealings while he held public office. Both men have repeatedly denied this, and Republicans have yet to produce evidence of the claim.
Jordan recently cited Devon Archer, a former business associate of Hunter Biden’s, as the most “damning” evidence they’d found thus far.
Archer did describe a “soft abuse of power” in which he and Hunter Biden would imply a connection to the White House, though he also testified he has no knowledge any wrongdoing by the president.