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Jimmy Williams
Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, appeared on Capitol Hill as congressional committees voted on recommending contempt charges against him.
The unprecedented clash unfolded as Republicans on the Oversight and Judiciary Committees sought his testimony for their impeachment inquiry into the president. Accompanied by attorneys Abbe Lowell and Kevin Morris, Hunter Biden did not immediately respond to questions.
House Republicans on the Oversight and Judiciary committees were holding separate votes on contempt charges against Biden for defying a congressional subpoena. Tensions flared during the Oversight Committee’s session, with Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., calling for Hunter Biden’s arrest, accusing him of avoiding a deposition. The son of the president and his legal team left the hearing before further remarks from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga.
Outside the hearing, Abbe Lowell criticized committee Republicans, alleging improper partisan motives. Lowell claimed they had offered cooperation multiple times since February 2023, with no response. He questioned the GOP’s motives, emphasizing Hunter Biden’s willingness to answer questions publicly.
When asked if he would testify that day, Hunter Biden responded affirmatively, leaving the building afterward. The Judiciary Committee also discussed contempt charges, with Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., calling for Hunter Biden’s public testimony. However, the motion failed, and Biden did not attend the Judiciary panel’s meeting.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., expressed support for holding Hunter Biden in contempt, emphasizing the congressional responsibility to address defiance of a “lawful” subpoena. The clash comes ahead of Hunter Biden’s court appearance on separate tax charges in Los Angeles.
Hunter Biden’s surprise appearance marks the latest development in the ongoing dispute between him and House Republicans. He has insisted on public testimony, citing concerns about selective leaks and mischaracterization of statements during a closed-door deposition. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, maintain that he must testify privately first.
Democrats argue there is no precedent for holding a private citizen in contempt who has offered to testify publicly. Hunter Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, criticized Republicans for playing politics and questioned their motives.
