Current:Home > reviewsHunter Biden willing to testify before House Oversight Committee in public hearing, lawyer says -NextGenWealth
Hunter Biden willing to testify before House Oversight Committee in public hearing, lawyer says
View
Date:2025-04-16 02:14:17
Washington — Hunter Biden, the son of President Biden, is willing to be interviewed by lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee in public as part of its impeachment inquiry into the president, his lawyer said in a letter to the panel Tuesday.
Abbe Lowell, Hunter Biden's attorney, told Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, that the president's son will answer "any pertinent and relevant questions" lawmakers might have, but said his questioning must take place at a public committee hearing.
"A public proceeding would prevent selective leaks, manipulated transcripts, doctored exhibits, or one-sided press statements," Lowell said. "Your empty investigation has gone on too long wasting too many better-used resources. It should come to an end."
Lowell said Hunter Biden is willing to testify on Dec. 13 or on another date next month that can be arranged.
"We have seen you use closed-door sessions to manipulate, even distort the facts and misinform the public," he wrote. "We therefore propose opening the door. If, as you claim, your efforts are important and involve issues that Americans should know about, then let the light shine on these proceedings."
The move by Hunter Biden to agree to answer questions from congressional investigators in public comes after House Republicans subpoenaed him and James Biden, the president's brother, to appear for depositions earlier this month. Congressional investigators have also requested other members of the Biden family appear before lawmakers for transcribed interviews, and has issued subpoenas to Hunter Biden's former business associates. The demands marked another escalation in the House GOP's efforts to determine whether Mr. Biden committed impeachable offenses.
Comer quickly rejected Hunter Biden's offer on Tuesday, saying he must appear for a closed-door deposition on Dec. 13 while leaving open the possibility of public testimony in the future.
"Hunter Biden is trying to play by his own rules instead of following the rules required of everyone else. That won't stand with House Republicans," Comer said in a statement. "Our lawfully issued subpoena to Hunter Biden requires him to appear for a deposition on December 13. We expect full cooperation with our subpoena for a deposition but also agree that Hunter Biden should have opportunity to testify in a public setting at a future date."
Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the Oversight panel, criticized Comer for spurning Hunter Biden's willingness to answer questions in a public setting and said his resistance further demonstrates that Republicans lack evidence of wrongdoing by Mr. Biden.
"What an epic humiliation for our colleagues and what a frank confession that they are simply not interested in the facts and have no confidence in their own case or the ability of their own members to pursue it," he said in a statement.
The GOP leaders of the Oversight and Judiciary Committees, who are leading the impeachment inquiry into Mr. Biden, claimed Hunter Biden was "actively involved in the web connecting the Biden family to foreign money," and said he has "personal knowledge" of whether the president has been involved in his family members' business dealings.
Though House Republicans have claimed that the president profited off his son's overseas work, they have yet to uncover direct evidence of wrongdoing by Mr. Biden.
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced in September that he directed relevant House committees to open a formal impeachment inquiry into Mr. Biden, and his successor, Speaker Mike Johnson, has continued to support the probe. Johnson said earlier this month that the next step is to question key witnesses under oath to "fill gaps in the record."
House Republicans held their first and only hearing of their impeachment inquiry in September, during which they sought to outline the basis for their probe of the president. But one of the GOP's witnesses, Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University, said he did not believe the evidence collected by Republicans would support articles of impeachment.
Matthew Mosk contributed to this report.
- In:
- Hunter Biden
Melissa Quinn is a politics reporter for CBSNews.com. She has written for outlets including the Washington Examiner, Daily Signal and Alexandria Times. Melissa covers U.S. politics, with a focus on the Supreme Court and federal courts.
TwitterveryGood! (71861)
Related
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- Pulitzer officials expand eligibility in arts categories; some non-U.S. citizens can now compete
- University of Alabama condemns racist, homophobic slurs hurled at football game
- With thousands of child care programs at risk of closing, Democrats press for more money
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Virginia House candidate denounces leak of online sex videos with husband
- Kentucky’s chief justice decides not to seek reelection in 2024
- Danelo Cavalcante press conference livestream: Police give updates on search for Pennsylvania prisoner
- Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
- Give Sean Diddy Combs' Daughters an Award For Praising Dad at the MTV VMAs
Ranking
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Olivia Rodrigo Denies Taylor Swift Feud Amid Conspiracy Theories
- New Mexico governor's temporary gun ban sparks court battle, law enforcement outcry
- Fergie Reacts to Ex Josh Duhamel and Audra Mari's Pregnancy Announcement
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- New York Jets odds to win Super Bowl shift in wake of Aaron Rodgers' injury
- Judge says he is open to moving date of Trump's hush money trial
- McCarthy announces Biden impeachment inquiry, escalating GOP probes into family's business dealings
Recommendation
What to watch: O Jolie night
Norway’s conservative opposition wins local elections with nearly 26% of the votes
Mississippi school district named in desegregation lawsuit is allowed to shed federal supervision
Montenegro police probe who built underground tunnel leading to court depot holding drugs, and why
McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
Georgia Gov. Kemp declares state of emergency over inflation
Court renews detention of 5 Israelis in Cyprus police custody after U.K. woman accuses them of rape
Bebe Rexha Shares She Might Skip the 2023 MTV VMAs Amid Struggle With Anxiety