Top Republican lawmakers are urging their colleagues to vote this week to denounce Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress.
initially received two contempt resolutions from the powerful House Oversight and Judiciary committees – which will be voted on later this week.
The resolutions recommend that Hunter be held in contempt of Congress after he defied a subpoena last month requiring him to give closed-door deposition as part of the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden's involvement in the shady business dealings his son was connected to or benefited from them.
Instead of appearing for his required testimony, Hunter appeared outside the Capitol to deliver a dramatic tirade in which he criticized “shameless” Republicans and protested his own innocence. He said he would only testify in a public forum – and not initially behind closed doors, as requested by the Republican Party.
Republicans write in resolutions released Monday that Hunter's testimony is a “critical component” of their impeachment inquiry into whether then-Vice President Joe “abused his office” by engaging in “schemes” with foreign nationals to enrich himself or his family.
Hunter's “blatant disregard” of the subpoenas is “contemptible” and he must be “held accountable for his unlawful actions,” the resolution continues – calling his actions a “criminal act.”
Biden was pictured on December 27 visiting Morris at his home
Hunter Biden shockingly appeared on the morning of his mandatory testimony on Capitol Hill to admit to “mistakes” he made because of his crack cocaine addiction, while criticizing Republicans who are investigating him for “the love of his” father “turned into darkness”.
If Hunter is found in contempt of Congress by the committees and then decided by a full floor vote by Hose, his case would be sent to the Biden-led Justice Department.
Jordan, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, said Sunday that he could face a year in prison if Attorney General Merrick Garland decides to file charges against Hunter.
But that would require Biden's Justice Department to agree to prosecute the case, which is unlikely. In addition to a 12-month prison sentence, if convicted, Hunter could be ordered to pay a fine of up to $100,000.
Jordan told Fox News' Maria Bartiromo that he expects the contempt charges to pass in a vote by the full House of Representatives – meaning virtually every Republican will have to vote for the resolution, as Speaker Mike Johnson can only afford to do so This disregard will result in a handful of votes losing the small GOP majority.
Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., suggested that Republicans need to bring Hunter in to testify, “whether in chains or handcuffs or whatever.”
“Send the sergeant at arms to get him because he’s breaking the law,” he said on Fox News over the weekend.
Republicans announced last week that they would move forward with contempt.
“Hunter Biden flagrantly defied two lawful subpoenas when he failed to appear for his testimony in December,” Republicans on the House Oversight Committee wrote Friday on X.
“Next week we will consider a resolution and accompanying report to convict him of contempt of Congress for violating federal law,” the lawmakers said Friday.
The Oversight Committee hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, January 10 at 10 a.m. ET, and the House Judiciary Committee will also hold a markup.
Republicans said his “obstruction” of their investigation forced them to take the president's son to court to force his cooperation or face prison time.
GOP leadership voted on December 13 to formalize their ongoing impeachment inquiry into Joe.
The party's 221-212 vote opened the door for the Republican Party to seek more evidence about plans that resulted in the Biden family receiving millions from countries including China, Ukraine and Romania.
And now more bank records, mortgage data, emails, text messages and cellphones are being subpoenaed for the Bidens, along with everything else Congress wants to see.
Hunter was subpoenaed by Republicans last month along with James Biden, the president's brother, and Rob Walker, a Biden family aide. James' attorneys have contacted the committee and are working to arrange a date for his closed-door testimony.
Hunter Biden made a shocking appearance on Capitol Hill, where he defiantly declared that his father was innocent of corruption charges and accused Republicans of being “shameless” for trying to impeach him.
Hunter made an emotional public statement blasting the “relentless Trump attack machine” and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene for showing nude photos of him in Congress.
Hunter admitted to making “mistakes” in his life because of his crack cocaine addiction, but then criticized the Republicans who investigated him, accusing them of “turning my father's love into darkness.”
The first son also said his father was “not financially involved” in his controversial dealings and that there was no evidence because it “didn’t happen.”
Comer and Jordan wondered what Hunter meant by his father not being “financially involved” in his businesses.
“How exactly was Joe Biden involved?” they questioned in the statement. “Evidence shows that Joe Biden met with Hunter’s business partners and his name was central to the family business strategy.”
Republicans have threatened to hold Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress if he fails to appear for his impeachment testimony at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday
There is speculation in Washington DC whether the first son will appear for his private interview as part of the Republican investigation into his father's involvement in foreign business
Hunter said on Dec. 13, “I am here today to acknowledge that I have made mistakes in my life.” I am also here today to correct how the MAGA right has portrayed me for political purposes.
“In the depths of my addiction, I was extremely irresponsible with my finances,” he admitted.
“But to suggest that this is grounds for an impeachment inquiry is beyond absurd.”
Hunter spoke outside the Senate side of the Capitol just hours before a planned vote by Republicans to formalize the ongoing impeachment inquiry into his father.
He said: “It's shameless.” “There is no evidence to support the claim that my father was financially involved in my company as this did not happen.”
Hunter Biden arrived on the Senate side of the Capitol on Wednesday morning with his attorney Abbe Lowell
Later, after Hunter skipped the deposition, Comer said that there was “mountains of evidence” against him and that he could not dictate the terms of his subpoena.
“We expect to impeach the president's son and would then welcome a public hearing,” Comer said.
“I don’t know anyone who’s in more trouble than Hunter Biden, and he just got into more trouble today.”
Jim Jordan, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said: “We are here to get the facts,” and given his long experience conducting investigations, this is initially done behind closed doors.
Comer has presented a case to his fellow Republicans that he says will prosecute over 20 shell companies set up by members of the Biden family to funnel over $25 million in foreign cash – using the family name while Joe was incumbent was vice president.
In his statement, Hunter denied those allegations, including those related to Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company where he served on the board.
He said: “Let me be as clear as possible that my father had no financial interest in my company, not as a practicing lawyer, not as a board member of Burisma, not in my partnership with the Chinese private entrepreneur, not in my investments in the In – and abroad and certainly not as an artist.
“During my battle with addiction, my parents were there for me. They literally saved my life.
“They helped me in ways that I can never repay, and of course they would never expect me to.”
Hunter Biden speaks on Capitol Hill
The first son makes his declaration
He continued to criticize Republicans who are investigating his finances and trying to link his business dealings to Joe.
“For six years, MAGA Republicans, including members of House committees currently in closed session, have attacked my character, invaded my privacy and attacked my wife, children, family and friends “Hunter continued his short speech to the Capitol.
“They ridiculed my struggle with addiction, belittled my recovery and attempted to dehumanize me, all to embarrass and harm my father, who dedicated his entire public life to service.”
He named the three Republicans investigating — Comer, Jordan and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith.
They “falsified the facts by cherry-picking lines from a bank statement, manipulating texts I sent, editing the statements of my friends and former business associates, and misrepresenting personal information stolen from me.”
“There is no fairness or decency in what these Republicans are doing. “They have lied time and time again,” the president's son said.
The 53-year-old was charged with $1.4 million in tax evasion early last month.
Comer and Jordan said Hunter had “no choice” but to comply after they issued him a subpoena requiring him to appear for a private deposition.
“If Mr. Biden fails to appear for his testimony on December 13, 2023, the committees will initiate contempt of Congress proceedings,” they said.
Hunter's attorney, Abbe Lowell, insisted that the statement should be made public, claiming that Republicans have “demonstrated time and time again that they use closed-door meetings to manipulate, even distort, the facts and mislead the American public.” inform”.
Even moderate Republicans and Biden District Republicans agreed to authorize the investigation — and insisted it would not force them to vote later on impeaching the president.
House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer criticized Hunter Biden for not testifying
“Anything that requires due process has the potential for any outcome to happen,” Rep. John Garcia, R-Calif., who represents a district Biden won in 2020, told .
Former spokesman Kevin McCarthy declared the investigation open in October, but now Republicans say they need a vote to give the investigation a full green light because of the White House's “obstruction.”
Spokesman Mike Johnson emphasized that they are not obligated to impeach the president simply by launching an investigation.
“We will not prejudge the outcome of this matter,” he told reporters. “It's not a political calculation. We follow the law.”