House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-KY) and House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) announced they will initiate contempt of Congress proceedings against Hunter Biden after he failed to comply with a subpoena to appear for a deposition on Wednesday. “Hunter Biden… defied lawful subpoenas and we will now initiate contempt of Congress proceedings,” Reps. Comer and Jordan said in a statement, adding: “We will not provide special treatment because his last name is Biden.”
Hunter Biden had been slatted to appear for a deposition as part of the ongoing House impeachment inquiry into allegations of public corruption by his father, President Joe Biden. While Hunter Biden did appear on Capitol Hill, it wasn’t for the deposition. Speaking on the Senate side of the U.S. Capitol – conveniently outside the jurisdiction of the House Sergeant-at-Arms – a defiant Hunter Biden announced he would not appear for deposition and instead demanded a public hearing.
“Let me state as clearly as I can; my father was not financially involved in my business…I am here to testify at a public hearing today to answer any of the Committee’s legitimate questions,” Hunter Biden said.
“Today the House will vote on an impeachment inquiry resolution to strengthen our legal case in the courts as we face obstruction from the White House and witnesses,” Comer and James said after Hunter Biden failed to appear for his deposition. The House impeachment leaders continued: “Today’s obstruction by Hunter Biden reinforces the need for a formal vote. President Biden and his family must be held accountable for their corruption and obstruction.”
Should a majority of the House find Hunter Biden to be in criminal contempt, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) will then send a report of the contempt charges to the Department of Justice (DOJ). The law states the DOJ must bring the charges before a grand jury for consideration. Even if the grand jury hands down an indictment, it is ultimately up to the DOJ whether to or not to move forward with a prosecution.
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Hunter Biden today defied lawful subpoenas and we will now initiate contempt of Congress proceedings.
We will not provide special treatment because his last name is Biden.
Read my full statement with @Jim_Jordan below.👇 pic.twitter.com/0m5zc4k4a6
— Rep. James Comer (@RepJamesComer) December 13, 2023