Hunter Biden tells Congress he’ll testify publicly, setting up a potential high-stakes face-off

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Hunter Biden has made a bold move by offering to testify publicly before Congress, intensifying the ongoing confrontation with Republicans over a subpoena. This development comes amid a special counsel probe and President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign.

Hunter Biden, the son of the Democratic president, expressed his dissatisfaction with the subpoena’s request for a closed-door testimony, citing concerns of potential manipulation. In response, Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, the House Oversight Committee chairman, remained steadfast, emphasizing the Republicans’ demand for a deposition and expecting “full cooperation.”

Hunter Biden’s attorney characterized the inquiry as a “fishing expedition,” aligning with his more assertive legal stance in recent months, especially as congressional Republicans pursue an impeachment inquiry aimed at connecting his father to his business affairs.

The November subpoenas to Hunter Biden and others marked a significant escalation in the inquiry, testing the boundaries of congressional oversight powers.

Despite their efforts, Republicans have not yet uncovered direct evidence implicating President Biden in any wrongdoing. Nonetheless, questions have arisen regarding the ethics of the Biden family’s international business dealings, with lawmakers asserting that their evidence suggests “influence peddling,” particularly in dealings with foreign clients.

Comer stated that while Hunter Biden could potentially testify publicly in the future, he expects him to appear for a deposition on December 13, as stipulated in the subpoena. Comer criticized Hunter Biden for attempting to play by his own rules and not adhering to the same standards as others.

Hunter Biden defended the legitimacy of his business dealings and accused Republicans of distorting his past struggles with addiction.

In a letter on Tuesday, Hunter Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, pointed out that his client had previously offered to cooperate with the committee without a response. He argued that closed-door sessions could be used to manipulate facts through selective leaks and called for transparency in the proceedings.

Hunter Biden proposed appearing on December 13 or an alternate date next month, along with his uncle James Biden and former business associate Rob Walker, who have also been subpoenaed. These subpoenas have faced strong opposition from Democrats, and the White House has characterized them as “irresponsible.”

Hunter Biden’s response coincides with his legal battles against his detractors. He has initiated numerous lawsuits against Republican allies of former President Donald Trump who allegedly circulated private data from a laptop purportedly belonging to him.

President Biden has largely refrained from commenting extensively on his son’s legal issues, maintaining that Hunter did nothing wrong and expressing his love for his son. The White House’s strategy has primarily focused on keeping the elder Biden’s attention on governance and his policy achievements, which may become increasingly challenging as Hunter Biden’s legal team combats both the congressional subpoena and a criminal case.

Hunter Biden currently faces three firearms felonies related to the purchase of a gun in 2018 during a period when he acknowledged his addiction to drugs. The case emerged following a collapsed plea deal on tax evasion and gun charges during a July hearing. While no new tax charges have been filed, the Justice Department special counsel overseeing the investigation has indicated the possibility of such charges in California, where Hunter now resides.

(Note: This paraphrased and expanded text is intended to provide a detailed and formal overview of the original news article.)

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