House GOP releases contempt report on Hunter Biden

The House Oversight Committee, led by Republicans, issued a report on Monday recommending that Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, be held in contempt of Congress. This follows his failure to appear for a scheduled deposition last month, opting instead for a press conference on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.

The report outlines the case presented by Oversight Chairman James Comer and Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, asserting Hunter Biden’s “flagrant defiance” of deposition subpoenas, emphasizing the need for accountability.

Last week, the House Oversight and Judiciary Committees announced plans to address the standoff with Hunter Biden in a meeting scheduled for Wednesday. The ongoing investigation into Hunter Biden’s business dealings has been a focus for Republicans, yet concrete evidence linking the president to any wrongdoing remains elusive. The report insists that Hunter Biden’s actions, choosing a public statement over a closed-door deposition, are contemptuous and warrant legal consequences.

In response to the report, Hunter Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, argued that his client’s willingness to testify publicly should negate any contempt proceedings. The scheduled markup for the contempt resolution is set for Wednesday, coinciding with Hunter Biden’s arraignment in California on federal tax charges. If approved in committee, the resolution would proceed to a full House vote before potential referral to the Justice Department for prosecution, requiring careful management of the Republicans’ slim majority.

The House, in a previous party-line vote, formalized its impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, with the White House dismissing it as politically motivated. Despite recent Justice Department actions on some contempt referrals, it remains to be seen how Hunter Biden’s legal challenges, including federal tax and firearms charges, will unfold in the context of his father’s potential reelection campaign.