House Republicans, led by Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) and Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), have requested confirmation from Hunter Biden’s legal team regarding his appearance for a closed-door deposition scheduled for December 13. The ongoing dispute between the two parties continues, with Hunter Biden’s counsel, Abbe Lowell, expressing the preference for a public hearing to prevent potential issues like selective leaks and manipulated transcripts.
In a letter sent on Friday, Comer and Jordan reiterated the terms of the subpoenas, emphasizing that the testimony must initially occur in a closed-door deposition. Despite Hunter Biden’s willingness to testify on December 13 or any other agreed-upon date, House Republicans insist on following the established procedures before considering a public hearing.
Responding to Lowell’s concerns about a closed-door setting, Comer and Jordan assured that the deposition would be videotaped, and a transcript would be released promptly after its completion. The move is an attempt to address transparency concerns raised by Hunter Biden’s legal team.
House Republicans consider Hunter Biden a crucial witness in the ongoing impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, which has centered on the business dealings of the Biden family. While no direct evidence linking the president’s actions to family business arrangements has been uncovered, Republicans are keen on pursuing the inquiry further.
The GOP may formalize the impeachment inquiry with a vote as early as next week, believing it would strengthen their legal position in potential court battles over subpoenaed witnesses and documents. Several subpoenas, including those directed at Hunter Biden, Joe Biden’s brother James Biden, and Hunter Biden’s business associate Rob Walker, have been issued over the past month.
The developments underscore the political tensions surrounding the inquiry and the efforts to navigate procedural disputes as both sides seek to advance their respective narratives. The outcome of Hunter Biden’s deposition could have significant implications for the trajectory of the impeachment inquiry and its potential impact on the Biden administration.
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