After Hunter Biden failed to comply with a House subpoena, an attorney and legal analyst used Joe Biden’s own words against his son to call out his actions.
Impeachment Inquiry Against Joe Biden
The subpoena directed at Hunter Biden forms a part of the impeachment inquiry against President Biden, centered around allegations of his involvement in his son’s foreign business ventures.
Allegations Denied
Despite House Republicans asserting that Joe Biden was not only involved but also profited from these dealings, no concrete evidence has been presented yet. The White House maintains a firm stance, denying the president’s involvement in his son’s business activities.
He Didn’t Show Up
Last month, Hunter Biden chose not to attend a private meeting called by House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, both Republicans, who had issued subpoenas for his deposition.
A Press Conference Instead
Instead, Hunter Biden held a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol, declaring his willingness to testify only in public.
Hunter Biden Shows Up
At Wednesday’s House Oversight Committee meeting, Hunter Biden appeared while House Republicans pushed for a resolution to hold the president’s son in contempt of Congress, citing his defiance of a subpoena.
Special Treatment?
Jonathan Turley, a George Washington University Law School professor who testified during Bill Clinton’s 1998 impeachment inquiry and Donald Trump’s 2019 impeachment hearing, criticized the president in a Saturday opinion piece for The Hill, accusing him of giving his son preferential treatment.
“Infuriated” Congress
“The stunt caused pandemonium and infuriated members of Congress. Hunter demanded that they yield to his demands,” he shared. “Once again, Democrats unanimously voted to protect him, even though they had demanded the same depositions in the past.”
Double Standard?
Turley highlighted a contrast in President Biden’s stance on subpoenas, recalling the president’s call for accountability against those who ignored congressional subpoenas from the January 6 House select committee. This committee probed the U.S. Capitol riot, primarily involving Donald Trump’s supporters.
What Biden Said?
Turley quoted Biden, “Indeed, President Biden himself said that such defiance could never be tolerated in others. When asked about Trump supporters defying subpoenas, he declared, ‘I hope that the committee goes after them and holds them accountable criminally.'”
He added, “Those people, however, are not Bidens.”
Selective Subpoena Showdown
Notably, Jim Jordan, an ally of Trump, also ignored a subpoena from this committee but was never held in contempt. On the day Hunter Biden failed to appear for his subpoena, Comer and Jordan announced their intention to pursue contempt charges against the president’s son.
Heading to the House Floor
On Wednesday, the House Oversight and Judiciary committees voted to advance contempt of Congress charges against Hunter Biden. These resolutions are now headed to the House floor for a vote, which is expected later this week.
Hunter Biden Signals Cooperation
Hunter Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, sent a letter to the committees last Friday, stating his client’s willingness to comply with a deposition, provided a new, ‘proper’ subpoena is issued.
Compulsory Effect Debate
Lowell argued that the initial subpoena lacked “compulsory effect” as it was issued prior to the full House sanctioning the president’s impeachment inquiry.
A ‘Cynical Demand’
Jonathan Turley expressed skepticism regarding Hunter Biden’s conditions for compliance. In an email to Newsweek on Sunday, he described Hunter’s insistence on a ‘valid’ subpoena as a cynical maneuver. “He has a valid subpoena, and he is already in contempt,” Turley emphasized, challenging the legitimacy of Hunter’s demands.
Complexities of Re-Issuing Subpoena
Turley emphasized the complications surrounding re-issuing a subpoena to Hunter Biden. “This was a valid subpoena issued by multiple committees with independent subpoena authority. Few members relish Hunter and his team turning them into dancing bears for their public amusement, ” he mentioned.
Public Violation of Subpoena?
Turley noted that Hunter’s contempt of Congress is already a fact, as he knowingly defied the subpoena. “Even if he were to testify, he knowingly and publicly committed this violation,” he added.
Last-Minute Change?
Turley speculated that the House could challenge Hunter’s tactics, saying, “I imagine that his team may already have a plan for him to agree to appear and take the Fifth. Otherwise, he may hope that his last-minute change will give the Justice Department, yet again, cover for declining to act.”
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