US President Hunter Biden's surprise appearance in the House of Representatives caused great outrage among Republicans. The 53-year-old appeared unannounced today during opening statements at a public meeting of the control committee and sat in the front row with his lawyer.
Portal/Kevin Lamarque
The panel wants to charge Hunter Biden with contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena for a closed-door hearing into the impeachment inquiry into his father, US President Joe Biden.
Portal/Kevin Lamarque
His unexpected appearance caused chaotic scenes. Several Republicans felt provoked by Hunter Biden's appearance and two deputies called him a coward. The committee chairman sometimes had difficulty restoring order to the meeting.
Biden insisted on a public hearing
Hunter Biden, who faces charges including possible tax crimes, refused to testify before the commission behind closed doors but offered to testify at a public hearing late last year.
The president's son and his lawyers argued that what was said in a protected space could be selectively reproduced by Republicans and that Hunter Biden's statements could thus be manipulated. He therefore insisted on only testifying publicly. Many Republicans associate Hunter Biden's business dealings with the US president.