Hunter Biden grabbed headlines by abruptly exiting a Congressional hearing.
Hunter Biden drew attention when he unexpectedly appeared at a U.S. House of Representatives hearing where Republican lawmakers advocated to hold him in contempt for not testifying in their impeachment inquiry against his father, Democratic President Joe Biden. His departure from the hearing further fueled the headlines.
Hunter Biden entered the hearing without engaging with reporters and sat quietly in the gallery alongside his attorney.
His presence stirred chaos, prompting members of the House Oversight Committee to engage in arguments and reprimand him for the unexpected appearance.
“Regardless of one’s identity, lineage, or surname—yes, Hunter Biden, I’m directing this at you—you are not exempt from the law,” remarked Republican Representative Nancy Mace. “Your reluctance to participate in a deposition then and now speaks volumes about your apprehension.”
“House Republicans claim that the president and his family benefited inappropriately from policy decisions that involved Biden during his vice presidency from 2009 to 2017. Both the White House and Hunter Biden refute these allegations of misconduct.
Meanwhile, Hunter Biden confronts legal challenges of his own. He’s scheduled to appear in a federal court in Los Angeles on Thursday to address accusations of failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes.
Additionally, he faces charges in Delaware for allegedly providing false information about his drug use during a firearm purchase. Biden has pleaded not guilty to the charges in Delaware.
Democratic Representative Jared Moskowitz questioned why the committee wasn’t considering testimony from the 53-year-old Biden.”
“Moskowitz pointed out that the witness had accepted the chairman’s invitation and was present. He urged for a vote on whether to hear from Hunter immediately.
Shortly after, Hunter Biden exited the hearing.
His attorney, Abbe Lowell, briefly addressed reporters afterward.
“We’ve expressed willingness to cooperate with the House committees to provide relevant information for any genuine inquiry,” Lowell stated. “Regrettably, our initial offers were disregarded.
Then, in November, they issued a subpoena for a closed-door deposition, a tactic consistently misused by Republicans in their political pursuits to leak and distort information selectively.”
House Republicans had subpoenaed Hunter Biden to appear for a closed-door deposition on December 13 as part of the investigation.
Hunter Biden expressed willingness to testify publicly, but lawmakers rejected this, insisting on a private deposition before any public testimony.”
“On the day slated for the deposition, Hunter Biden spoke publicly outside the Capitol but did not attend the closed-door interview.
Typically, after a committee vote, the full House conducts a vote to direct the certification of contempt to a U.S. attorney, as outlined by the Congressional Research Service. The Justice Department usually enforces contempt statutes issued by Congress.
According to the CRS, the House has held 10 individuals in contempt of Congress since 2008.
However, the Justice Department has pursued indictment against only two individuals: Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro, both advisers to former Republican President Donald Trump.
Bannon received a four-month prison sentence, though he filed an appeal. Navarro was convicted in September 2023.”
Based on a Congressional Research Service report encompassing contempt resolutions dating back to 1980, there is no documentation of a family member of a sitting president ever being held in contempt of Congress.
Contempt of Congress can result in a fine of up to $100,000 and imprisonment ranging from one to 12 months.
Twitter
Facebook