Hunter Biden made a shock appearance on Capitol Hill where he defiantly declared that his father is innocent of corruption allegations and accused Republicans of being ‘shameless’ for trying to impeach him.
In a dramatic tirade outside Congress the first son said his father was ‘not financially involved’ in his controversial business dealings and that there was no evidence because it ‘did not happen.’
As Republicans move forward with an impeachment probe into Joe Biden, his son defied a subpoena compelling him to give a private deposition on Wednesday.
Instead, he delivered an emotional public statement in which he tore into the ‘unrelenting Trump attack machine’ and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene for showing naked photos of him in Congress.
Hunter admitted making ‘mistakes’ in his life due to his crack cocaine addiction but went on to blast Republicans investigating him and accused them of ‘turning my dad’s love into darkness.’
Now Republicans are formally initiating contempt of Congress proceedings against the president’s son for failing to appear for his subpoenaed deposition.
Hunter Biden shockingly showed up Capitol Hill on the morning of his mandatory deposition to acknowledge ‘mistakes’ he made due to his crack cocaine addiction while blasting Republicans investigating him for ‘turning his ‘dad’s love into darkness’
Republicans have threatened to begin the process of holding Hunter Biden in Contempt of Congress if he doesn’t show up for his impeachment probe deposition at 9.30am on Wednesday
Speculation is swirling around Washington D.C. over whether the first son will show up for his closed-door interview in the GOP investigation into his father’s involvement in foreign business deals
Hunter said: ‘I am here today to acknowledge I have made mistakes in my life. I’m also here today to correct how the MAGA right has portrayed me for political purposes.
‘In the depths of my addiction I was extremely irresponsible with my finances,’ he admitted.
‘But to suggest that is grounds for an impeachment inquiry is beyond the absurd.’
Hunter spoke outside of the Senate side of the Capitol hours before a planned Republican vote to formalize the ongoing impeachment inquiry into his father.
He said: ‘It’s shameless. There is no evidence to support the allegations that my father was financially involved in my business because it did not happen.’
Speculation had been swirling around Washington, D.C., over whether the first son would show up for his closed-door interview in the GOP investigation led by Oversight Chairman James Comer into his father’s involvement in his foreign business deals.
Hunter was subpoenaed by Republicans last month along with James Biden, the president’s brother, and Biden family associate Rob Walker. Attorneys for James have been in touch with the committee and they are working on scheduling a time for his closed-door testimony.
Hunter’s decision to bypass the deposition at 9.30am on Wednesday sets up a showdown with Republicans who will now begin the process of holding him in contempt of Congress.
If Hunter is held in contempt of Congress by a committee vote, his case would go before the Biden-led Department of Justice. If DOJ agrees to prosecute the case, he could face up to 12 months jail time or a fine of up to $100,000 if convicted.
‘Hunter Biden today defied lawful subpoenas and we will now initiate contempt of Congress proceedings,’ a statement by Comer and Jordan read.
‘We will not provide special treatment because his last name is Biden.’
Comer and Jordan questioned what Hunter said earlier Wednesday that his father was not ‘financially’ involved in his dealings.
‘Exactly how was Joe Biden involved?’ they questioned in the statement. ‘Evidence shows Joe Biden met with Hunter’s business associates and his name was at the center of the family business strategy.’
Hunter accused House Republicans of warping his relationship with his father.
They turned ‘my dad’s love into darkness,’ he said.
Later, after Hunter skipped the deposition, Comer said there were ‘mountains of evidence’ against him and he does not get to dictate the terms of his subpoena.
‘We expect to depose the president’s son, and then we would be happy to have an open hearing,’ Comer said.
‘I don’t know anyone in more trouble than Hunter Biden and he just got in more trouble today.’
Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan said that ‘we’re here to get the facts’ and in his long experience of conducting investigations, that is done behind closed-doors first.
Hunter Biden arrived on the Senate side of the Capitol on Wednesday morning with his attorney Abbe Lowell
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan reacts to Hunter Biden’s statement
Lawmakers were kept in the dark about whether Hunter would show up or skip his testimony – with Comer telling reporters 30 minutes before his arrival: ‘I’ll let you know when I know.’
Comer has presented a case to his fellow Republicans which he says tracks over 20 shell companies set up by Biden family members to funnel in over $25 million in foreign cash while Joe was the sitting vice president.
Hunter refuted those accusations in his statement, japanese porn including those relating to Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company where he sat on the board.
He said: ‘Let me state as clearly as I can, my father was not financially involved in my business, not as a practicing lawyer, not as a board member of Burisma, not in my partnership with the Chinese private businessman, not in my investments at home and abroad and certainly not as an artist.
‘During my battle with addiction my parents were there for me. They literally saved my life.
‘They helped me in ways that I will never be able to repay, and of course, they would never expect me to.’
Hunter Biden speaks on Capitol Hill
The first son delivers his statement
He went on to slam the Republicans investigating his finances and who are attempting to tie his business dealings to Joe.
‘For six years MAGA Republicans, including members of the house committees who are in a closed-door session right now, have impugned my character, invaded my privacy, attacked my wife, my children, my family and my friends,’ Hunter continued in his short address in front of the Capitol.
‘They have ridiculed my struggle with addiction, they have belittled my recovery and they have tried to dehumanize me, all to embarrass and damage my father who has devoted his entire public life to service.’
He named the three investigating Republicans – Comer, Jordan and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith.
They ‘distorted the facts by cherry-picking lines from a bank statement, manipulating texts I sent, editing the testimony of my friends and former business partners, and misstating personal information that was stolen from me.
