House Republicans are intensifying their scrutiny into President Joe Biden's potential foreknowledge of his son Hunter Biden's decision to defy a congressional subpoena.
Representatives James Comer (R-KY) and Jim Jordan (R-OH) have formally requested information from White House counsel Ed Siskel, seeking any communications between the President, his son, or Hunter's defense attorneys related to the subpoena, as per Washington Examiner.
GOP Probes Joe Biden's Knowledge of Hunter's Subpoena
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE - NOVEMBER 07: President-elect Joe Biden embraces his son Hunter Biden after addressing the nation from the Chase Center November 07, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware. After four days of counting the high volume of mail-in ballots in key battleground states due to the coronavirus pandemic, the race was called for Biden after a contentious election battle against incumbent Republican President Donald Trump.
The inquiry, led by House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer and Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan, is fueled by a White House statement claiming President Biden was aware in advance of Hunter's intent to defy two congressional subpoenas. The Republicans aim to determine whether the President played a role in his son's refusal to comply with the congressional order.
The formal letter to White House counsel Ed Siskel requests all documents and communications concerning Hunter Biden's deposition, as well as records related to President Biden's statement about his family's business associates on December 6, 2023. Notably, the lawmakers admit their lack of awareness regarding the existence of such communications, prompting the need for further investigation.
The GOP chairmen assert that the President's advanced knowledge of Hunter's non-compliance raises troubling questions about whether he sought to obstruct Congress. In their letter, Comer and Jordan state, "Such conduct could constitute an impeachable offense," emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
Despite the House Republicans' inquiry, the White House has chosen not to comment on the matter. Additionally, attorneys for Hunter Biden, Abbe Lowell and Kevin Morris, have not provided immediate responses to requests for comments, according to NBC News.
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Hunter Biden's Legal Challenges
The investigation hinges on a specific statement made during a White House press briefing on December 13. At that time, Hunter Biden chose to address reporters outside the Capitol instead of participating in a closed-door deposition, as requested by Republicans.
The Republicans point to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre's response to a question about President Biden's awareness of his son's statement. Jean-Pierre noted that Hunter Biden is a private citizen and suggested reporters consult his representatives, adding that the President was familiar with his son's intended remarks.
In response to Hunter Biden's defiance of the closed-door deposition, Comer and Jordan had previously announced their intention to initiate contempt of Congress proceedings. However, with the House not expected to reconvene until the second week of January, the timeline for any such proceedings remains uncertain.
It's worth noting that House Republicans recently disclosed records indicating 54 email exchanges between President Biden and his son's business associate during his tenure as vice president.
Hunter Biden faces multiple legal challenges, including recent federal charges related to tax offenses. Despite allegations of "shady business practices" made by Rep. James Comer, concrete evidence linking the President to illegal activities has yet to be provided.
As the House Oversight and Judiciary Committees demand further communication records between Hunter Biden and White House employees, the specter of a formal impeachment inquiry looms large. The White House has been given a two-week deadline to produce the requested documents, intensifying the ongoing political drama surrounding the Biden family, The Daily Beast reported.
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