Top Republican lawmakers blasted Hunter Biden’s attorney’s request for special treatment in a new letter on Friday.
House Oversight Chairman James Comer of Kentucky and House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio responded to Biden’s attorney Abbe Lowell, who, earlier this week, told lawmakers the president’s son would be available for a deposition but only in a public forum. Hunter Biden was formally subpoenaed along with President Joe Biden’s brother James, on Nov. 8.
“If, as you claim, your efforts are important and involve issues that Americans should know about, then let the light shine on these proceedings,” Lowell wrote.
On Friday, Comer and Jordan rejected Lowell’s request to break committee protocol for a sit-down deposition on Dec. 13.
“Mr. Biden’s attempt to avoid sitting for a deposition pursuant to the terms of subpoenas — by offering instead to testify at a public hearing — amounts to a demand that he receive special treatment from the Committees,” lawmakers wrote. “Mr. Biden will not succeed in attempting to dictate to the Committees how they conduct their investigation.”
Comer released a statement shortly after Lowell’s letter was received on Tuesday, professing an openness to a public hearing at a later date.
“We expect full cooperation with our subpoena for a deposition but also agree that Hunter Biden should have the opportunity to testify in a public setting at a future date,” Comer said.
House Republicans officially opened an impeachment inquiry into the president in September following revelations over family influence peddling, which include credible allegations of criminal bribery. In addition to testimony from Hunter and James Biden, House investigators are seeking testimony from about a dozen other family members and associates involved in the clan’s business ventures.
Despite repeated denials of ever speaking business with his son in the run-up to the 2020 election, President Biden reportedly met with family clients at least 200 times. Lawmakers have extended their inquiry to include interviews with individuals associated with Hunter Biden’s mid-life art career.