(Daily Caller) House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan are threatening to hold Hunter Biden in contempt of congress if he refuses to appear for a closed-door deposition.
Comer and Jordan wrote a letter Wednesday to Abbe D. Lowell, Hunter Biden’s defense attorney, informing Lowell the committees will initiate proceedings to hold Hunter Biden in contempt if he does not abide by a subpoena and appear for a deposition on Dec. 13.
“Contrary to the assertions in your letter, there is no ‘choice’ for Mr. Biden to make; the subpoenas compel him to appear for a deposition on December 13. If Mr. Biden does not appear for his deposition on December 13, 2023, the Committees will initiate contempt of Congress proceedings,” the letter reads.
Criminal contempt of congress is a misdemeanor federal offense for individuals who do not comply with subpoenas, according to the Congressional Research Service. House lawmakers can provide a citation for contempt to federal prosecutors, a move without direct legal consequences for the person deciding not to comply with a subpoena.
The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Hunter Biden in November to appear for a deposition before the committee. Lowell countered with an offer for Hunter Biden to testify publicly and skip the deposition.
🚨BREAKING🚨
Hunter Biden must appear for his deposition on December 13, 2023.
Chairmen James Comer and Jim Jordan will initiate CONTEMPT OF CONGRESS PROCEEDINGS if Hunter Biden does not appear.@RepJamesComer@Jim_Jordan pic.twitter.com/bAPlEkx13q
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) December 6, 2023
Comer and Jordan are leading the House GOP’s impeachment inquiry into Hunter Biden alongside Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith. All three rejected Hunter Biden’s counter offer and demanded he answer questions behind closed doors before testifying publicly.
In May, Comer threatened to hold FBI Director Christopher Wray in contempt when the Oversight Committee sought to view an FBI FD-1023 document containing bribery allegations against Joe Biden and his son.
Members of the Oversight Committee were granted permission to view the FBI document in June. Republican Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley released the FD-1023form in July after receiving it from Department of Justice (DOJ) whistleblowers.
House lawmakers are also seeking testimony from Hunter Biden’s uncle James Biden and multiple former business associates of the first son.
