Donald Trump mocked Hunter Biden for skipping his closed-door testimony to Congress and instead giving a speech on the Capitol steps.
The former president, 77, lashed out at Joe Biden's son during a speech in Iowa on Wednesday night, joking that Hunter “went to the wrong place.”
He said Hunter went to the Senate side of the U.S. Capitol when he should have gone to the House chamber.
“You saw Hunter today, right?” Trump said. “He went to the wrong place. He went to the Senate instead of the House.”
His comments followed Hunter's five-minute statement in which he defiantly declared that his father was innocent of corruption charges and accused Republicans of being “shameless” for trying to impeach him.
Donald Trump mocked Hunter Biden for skipping his closed-door testimony to Congress and instead giving a speech on the Capitol steps
Trump said Hunter went to the Senate side of the U.S. Capitol when he should have gone to the House chamber
Trump used his campaign speech in Iowa to take a swipe at Hunter in front of a packed crowd.
“Everyone asks, ‘Where’s Hunter?’ See, it’s always, ‘Where’s Hunter?’” Trump added. “What a two-tier justice system we have.”
Hunter defied a congressional subpoena to appear for closed-door testimony, saying he would only appear in public.
Instead, he made a statement on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, saying his father was “not financially involved” in his controversial dealings and that there was no evidence because it “didn't happen.”
The president's son 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.”
Now the Republicans are officially initiating contempt of Congress proceedings against the president's son because he failed to appear for his subpoenaed testimony.
Hunter said, “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.”
The 77-year-old former president lashed out at Joe Biden's son during a speech in Iowa on Wednesday night, joking that he “went to the wrong place.”
Hunter defied a congressional subpoena to appear for closed-door testimony, saying he would only appear in public
Instead, he made a statement on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, saying his father was “not financially involved” in his controversial dealings and that there was no evidence because it “didn't happen.”
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. The investigation was approved later that afternoon.
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.”
There was speculation in Washington, D.C., about whether the first son would appear for his closed-door interview as part of the GOP investigation led by oversight chairman James Comer into his father's involvement in his foreign dealings.
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's decision to bypass deposition at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday sets up a showdown with Republicans, who will now begin the process of holding him in contempt of Congress.
If Hunter is found in contempt of Congress by a committee vote, his case would be brought before the Biden-led Justice Department. If the Justice Department agrees to prosecute the case, he could face up to 12 months in prison or a fine of up to $100,000 if convicted.
Republicans threatened to prosecute Hunter Biden for contempt of Congress after he failed to appear for his impeachment testimony at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday
House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer criticized Hunter Biden for not testifying
“Hunter Biden defied lawful subpoenas today and we will now begin proceedings for contempt of Congress,” Comer and Jordan said in a statement.
“We will not give special treatment because his last name is Biden.”
Comer and Jordan questioned Hunter's statement Wednesday that his father was not “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.”
Hunter accused House Republicans of distorting his relationship with his father.
They turned “my father’s love into darkness,” he said.
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.”