(WASHINGTON, DC) — Hunter Biden declined an invitation from House Republicans to testify at a public hearing next week alongside former business associates, labeling the inquiry a “carnival sideshow,” according to his attorney.
The president’s son’s attorney criticized Republicans’ efforts to bring her client before a public hearing following his nearly seven-hour deposition last month. “Your latest step — this March 6 invitation — is not a serious oversight proceeding,” said in a letter. “It is your attempt to resuscitate your Conference’s moribund inquiry with a made-for-right-wing-media, circus act.”
The invitation, sent last week by Rep. James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, included three of Biden’s former business associates, all currently facing legal challenges.
“Your idea of congressional ‘fact-finding’ is, amazingly, to have Mr. Biden appear with the discredited ‘witnesses’ you continue to promote,” the letter continued.
The committee’s 14-month investigation into the Biden family has primarily centered on Hunter Biden’s overseas work in countries such as Ukraine and China. While lawmakers have uncovered ethically questionable behavior by the president’s son and other family members, Republicans have yet to produce evidence of misconduct by Joe Biden while in public office.
The rejection of the invitation follows Hunter Biden and his lawyer’s insistence late last year that he appear for a public hearing instead of a private deposition, citing concerns that GOP lawmakers would distort his interview. The two sides eventually agreed to a sit-down testimony first, followed by a public hearing.
In response, Comer stated that the committee had called Hunter Biden’s bluff. “Hunter Biden for months stated he wanted a public hearing, but now that one has been offered alongside his business associates that he worked with for years, he is refusing to come,” the Kentucky Republican said.
However, attorneys for Biden stated that their client would only appear for a hearing if it were a “legitimate exercise of congressional authority” that also delved into efforts by family members of former President Donald Trump to leverage their father’s name while in the White House.
Comer declared that the hearing set for March 20 would proceed as planned, and Republicans “fully expect Hunter Biden to participate.” He added, “The American people demand the truth and accountability for the Bidens’ corruption.”
