UPDATE: After arriving on the Senate side of Capitol Hill, Hunter Biden made a statement to the media and refused to go over to the House side for the deposition, blowing off a congressional subpoena issued by the House Oversight Committee. The House sergeant-at-arms has no jurisdiction on the Senate side where Hunter made his statement. After his remarks, he quickly got in the car he arrived in and left.
Previously Biden's attorneys demanded their client testify only in a public hearing, despite closed door depositions being a routine first step in investigations. Republicans agreed to a public hearing after the closed door deposition.
JIM JORDAN:
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) December 13, 2023
"We're disappointed that [Hunter Biden] didn't show up...We'll also...look at contempt proceedings as we move forward!" pic.twitter.com/Hj5nDL7SOD
JAMES COMER on Hunter Biden SKIPPING his deposition:
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) December 13, 2023
"We expect [Hunter] to come in and be deposed...!" pic.twitter.com/outJKg4T8i
He also refused to answer media questions after making a lengthy statement denying his father, President Joe Biden, did anything wrong.
Hunter Biden dodging ALL questions:
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) December 13, 2023
"Was it worth it trying to sell the family name?"
"Do you want President Biden to pardon you, sir?"
"Have you asked your father for a pardon?"
"How did you get into so much trouble?" pic.twitter.com/9WzEzKpF8I
President Biden previously said he "never spoke to his son about his business dealings." Today, Hunter said his father was "not financially involved in my business."
So, we've gone from President Biden saying "I' never spoke to my son about his business" to this today.
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) December 13, 2023
"My father was not financially involved in my business" https://t.co/WAYUqYtkMr
This is a developing story, stay tuned for updates.
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***Original post***
After his attorneys threatened he wouldn't show up for a closed door deposition on Capitol Hill, Hunter Biden arrived Wednesday morning (albeit late) and gave a defiant statement to the media.
Ahead of questioning by the House Oversight and Judiciary Committees, the younger Biden declared "MAGA Republicans" were trying to destroy his father's presidency through a "lack of evidence" or connection to his personal overseas business dealings. He claimed text messages and payments in bank statements have been "taken out of context" by Oversight Chairman James Comer.
"I'm here to acknowledge I've made mistakes in my life...for that I am responsible, for that I am accountable," Biden said. "But I'm also here today to correct how the MAGA right has portrayed me for their political purposes."
WATCH IT IN FULL:
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) December 13, 2023
Hunter Biden speaks to the press ahead of his closed-door deposition on Capitol Hill today. pic.twitter.com/1n4c96Lw1o
Republicans are already pushing back.
FOUR KEY FACTS WILL NEVER CHANGE:
— House Judiciary GOP 🎄 (@JudiciaryGOP) December 13, 2023
1. Hunter Biden sat on Burisma’s board.
2. He was unqualified to do so.
3. Burisma pressured him to get D.C. to act on policy issues in Ukraine.
4. Joe Biden did just that.
No one believes that.
— House Judiciary GOP 🎄 (@JudiciaryGOP) December 13, 2023
Hunter Biden is welcome to come say that under oath at his deposition today. https://t.co/WdgEetVGbC
The testimony comes one week after Biden was indicted on a number of federal, felony tax evasion charges.
Ahead of Biden's arrival, House Speaker Mike Johnson explained why the House is moving forward with a vote to green light an impeachment inquiry against President Biden.
Today, the House is voting to formally open an impeachment inquiry into President Biden.
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) December 13, 2023
The facts don’t lie.
It’s time to get the American people answers. pic.twitter.com/O0Jtxx9J2u