(NewsNation) — Hunter Biden offered to testify publicly before the House Oversight Committee in response to a subpoena from Republicans investigating his business dealing, according to a letter his lawyers sent to the committee Tuesday that NewsNation obtained.
The president’s son slammed the inquiry as a “fishing expedition” and refused to give closed-door testimony but said he would “answer any pertinent and relevant question” in front of the House Oversight Committee in December.
“We have seen you use closed-door sessions to manipulate, even distort the facts and misinform the public. We therefore propose opening the door. If, as you claim, your efforts are important and involve issues that Americans should know about, then let the light shine on these proceedings,” Hunter Biden’s legal team wrote in the letter.
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In response to Hunter Biden’s offer, House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer said the president’s son is attempting to “play his own rules and not follow those required of everyone else.”
“That won’t stand with House Republicans. Our lawfully issued subpoena to Hunter Biden requires him to appear for a deposition on December 13. We expect full cooperation with our subpoena for a deposition but also agree that Hunter Biden should have opportunity to testify in a public setting at a future date,” he said.
Comer subpoenaed Hunter Biden earlier this month and summoned him to appear for a closed-door deposition as part of an escalation of Republicans’ impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.
So far, Republicans have failed to uncover evidence directly implicating President Biden in any wrongdoing. But lawmakers insist their evidence paints a troubling picture of “influence peddling” in the Biden family’s business dealings, particularly with clients overseas.
The subpoena demanded Hunter Biden appear before the Oversight Committee for a deposition by mid-December. His uncle, James Biden, was subpoenaed same day, as well as former business associate Rob Walker.
Hunter Biden offered to appear on Dec. 13, the date named in the subpoena, or another day next month.
Abbe Lowell, Hunter Biden’s attorney, said in Tuesday’s letter that his client had “misgivings about your motives and purpose” but had previously offered to speak with the committee without a response.
“Your empty investigation has gone on too long wasting too many better-used resources. It should come to an end,” Lowell wrote. “From all the individuals you have requested depositions or interviews, all you will learn is that your accusations are baseless. However, the American people should see that for themselves.”
Democrats have opposed the subpoenas; the White House called for them to be withdrawn.
Congressional Republicans are also probing the Justice Department’s handling of a criminal investigation into Hunter Biden’s business dealings. That long-running case had been expected to end with a plea deal, but it imploded during a July plea hearing.
Hunter Biden is now charged with three firearms felonies related to the 2018 purchase of a gun during a period he has acknowledged being addicted to drugs. No new tax charges have been filed, but prosecutors have indicated they are possible in Washington or California, where he now lives.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.