House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer on Friday urged Hunter Biden to appear at next week’s public impeachment inquiry hearings, which his eldest son had previously requested, and said the impeachment inquiry would be open “with or without him.” It was announced that it would take place.
Biden, 54, on Wednesday declined an invitation to participate in a March 20 hearing related to his father’s alleged role in family business deals, which his lawyer slammed as a “carnival sideshow.” She claimed that there was a conflict with her eldest son’s schedule. A court hearing will be held in California the next day.
“The only conclusion that can be reached is that Mr. Biden knows that his public testimony will not stand up to scrutiny,” Comer (R-Ky.) told attorney Abby Lowell. told. in a published letter By the Oversight Committee.
“Nonetheless, the commission will move forward with or without Mr. Biden, because it will publicly reveal how the Biden brand has been sold over the years in Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Romania, and China. “It’s important to show and explain Joe Biden’s involvement in these lucrative deals,” the Kentucky Republican added.
“In the interest of transparency, the committee will ask Mr. Biden to reconsider his refusal to appear at the hearing in Congress.”
Hunter Biden’s legal team has repeatedly called for a hearing over private testimony.
In December, the president’s scandal-scarred son ignored a subpoena from the Oversight Committee for a personal deposition and held an impromptu press conference outside the Capitol, where he again demanded “testimony in a public hearing.” did.
Hunter Biden finally sat in on transcribing interviews with lawmakers and lawyers last month.
“The hearing you describe as a ‘planned event for the media’ is exactly what Mr. Biden has previously requested,” Comer wrote to Lowell. “In fact, Mr. Biden will have an opportunity to offer his perspective alongside the people he has worked with most closely.”
The Oversight Committee also invited Hunter Biden’s former business associates Devon Archer, Tony Bobulinski and Jason Galanis to testify at next week’s hearing.
In a letter to Comer earlier this month informing him of Hunter’s decision not to participate in the hearing, Lowell denounced the Republican invitees as “unreliable witnesses.”
Mr Comer claimed it was “ridiculous” for his eldest son to “lash out at other witnesses” given his business dealings with the trio.
Regarding scheduling concerns, Comer noted that Hunter’s court date in California was scheduled for the day after his brief appearance before the committee on Jan. 10, and Hunter’s court date was scheduled 17 minutes later. He pointed out that he ran out of the hearing room after 17 minutes while the members were debating whether this constituted contempt. meeting.
“Mr. Biden has previously stated that he would like to speak publicly. As I said we would, the committee is providing him with that opportunity,” Comer argued.
“Mr. Biden’s business associates have announced their intention to testify to the Committee on March 20, 2024, regarding their business with your client and their relationship with Joe Biden and that business.”
“The committee asks Mr. Biden to appear and let the American people decide whose story to believe.”
