House Moves Ahead On Hunter Biden Contempt Proceeding

On Friday, the House Oversight Committee announced plans to hold a session on January 10 to consider a resolution for holding Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress. This follows Hunter Biden’s refusal to comply with House subpoenas, deciding instead to issue a political press statement from the Capitol lawn at the time he should have been sitting in the deposition he was ordered to provide.  

The contempt inquiry will focus on Hunter Biden’s refusal to obey two subpoenas requiring his appearance before House committees on December 13. In a press statement, the House Oversight Committee wrote: “Hunter Biden blatantly defied two lawful subpoenas when he did not appear for his December deposition. Next week, we will consider a resolution and accompanying report to hold him in contempt of Congress for violating federal law.”

Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) have been vocal in their criticism, alleging in their press release that Joe Biden was potentially complicit in benefiting from his family’s name. “Our investigation has produced significant evidence suggesting President Biden knew of, participated in, and benefitted from his family cashing in on the Biden name,” the chairmen wrote. 

A formal contempt proceeding against Hunter would carry substantial weight in the current political landscape. In addition to the impact it would have on the pending investigation into a possible impeachment of Joe Biden by the full House, the contempt proceeding would touch on serious criminal cases pending against Hunter, including felony tax charges in California and gun charges still pending in a Delaware federal court.

Hunter Biden used his grandstanding media appearance last month to deny any financial involvement by his father in his business dealings. “There’s no evidence to support the allegations that my father was financially involved in my business because it did not happen,” he asserted.  

The outcome of the upcoming contempt inquiry will have direct implications for Hunter Biden and will also show the public just how serious the Republican-led House is about its commitment to meaningful oversight and to holding the Biden administration accountable to the American public.