James Comer, Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, and Jim Jordan, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, are warning of potential contempt of Congress charges against Hunter Biden. This comes after the president’s son’s lawyer informed the panel that he would not testify unless it’s in a public setting.
Comer, of Kentucky, had issued a subpoena for Hunter Biden’s closed-door deposition on December 13. Hunter Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, conveyed his client’s preference for a public hearing in a letter to the committee.
Last week, Comer and Jordan emphasized that Hunter Biden would not be treated differently and must comply with the closed-door deposition. They pledged to release the deposition transcript promptly and discussed the possibility of scheduling a public hearing later.
Lowell, on Wednesday, wrote to Comer, stating that Hunter Biden would only testify in a public hearing for transparency. Lowell offered dates, including December 13, for the hearing to address pertinent questions.
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“Mr. Biden has offered to appear at a hearing on the December 13, 2023, date you have reserved, or another date this month, to answer any question pertinent and relevant to the subject matter,” Lowell wrote.
“He is making this choice because the Committee has demonstrated time and time again it uses closed-door sessions to manipulate, even distort, the facts and misinform the American public—a hearing would ensure transparency and truth in these proceedings. We look forward to working out the schedule,” he added.
Comer and Jordan responded, rejecting the request for a public hearing and threatening to hold Hunter Biden in contempt, asserting that the November 8, 2023, subpoenas left no room for a “choice.”
“If Mr. Biden does not appear for his deposition on December 13, 2023, the Committees will initiate contempt of Congress proceedings,” they wrote.
