Hunter Biden on Wednesday defied a congressional subpoena to appear privately for a deposition before Republican investigators who have been digging into his business dealings, insisting outside the US Capitol that he will testify only in public.
The Democratic president’s son slammed a subpoena requesting closed-door testimony, saying it could be manipulated. Congressman James Comer of Kentucky, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, has said Republicans expect “full cooperation” with demands.
It was scheduled for Wednesday.
“What are they afraid of? I’m here, I’m ready,” Hunter Biden, who lives in California, said outside the Capitol.
He said he was offered a choice to come in for depositions or committee hearings. “Well, I’ve chosen,” he said.
“I’m here to testify at a public hearing today to answer any of the committee’s legitimate questions.”
Republicans are pursuing an impeachment inquiry seeking to tie US President Joe Biden to his son Hunter’s business dealings. They have so far failed to uncover evidence directly implicating the president in any wrongdoing.
But questions have arisen about the ethics surrounding the Biden family’s international business, and lawmakers insist their evidence paints a troubling picture of “influence peddling” in their business dealings, particularly with clients overseas.
Hunter Biden indicted on US federal tax evasion charges
Hunter Biden indicted on US federal tax evasion charges
“There is no evidence to support the allegations that my father was financially involved in my business because it did not happen,” Hunter Biden said.
Separately, Hunter Biden is facing criminal charges in two states from a special counsel overseeing a long-running investigation.
He is charged with firearm counts in Delaware alleging he broke laws against drug users having guns in 2018, a period when he has acknowledged struggling with addiction.
Special Counsel David Weiss also filed new charges nine new tax counts last week alleging he schemed to avoid paying about US$1.4 million in taxes over a three-year period.