The House Oversight Committee hearing descended into disorder as Republicans and Democrats engaged in a heated exchange following the unexpected presence of Hunter Biden, the first son, in the gallery.
Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) initiated the hearing by presenting the Republicans’ argument to hold Hunter in contempt of Congress. This action was prompted by his refusal to comply with a subpoena issued last month, which required him to provide closed-door testimony.
“Our investigation has produced significant evidence suggesting President Biden knew of, participated in, and benefited from his family cashing in on the Biden name,” Comer said.
“We planned to question Hunter Biden about this record of evidence during our deposition, but he blatantly defied two lawful subpoenas.”
Hunter Biden’s refusal to comply with the subpoenas “constitutes contempt of Congress and warrants referral to the appropriate United States Attorney’s Office for prosecution by the law.”
“We will not provide Hunter Biden with special treatment because of his last name,” Comer said. “All Americans must be treated equally under the law. And that includes the Bidens.”
However, the hearing took an unexpected turn when Rep. Nancy Mace (R-N.C.) was given the opportunity to speak after noticing Hunter Biden in the gallery.
“My first question is, who bribed Hunter Biden to be here today? That’s my first question,” Mace began. “Second question, you are the epitome of white privilege coming into the oversight committee, spitting in our face, ignoring a congressional subpoena to be deposed. What are you afraid of? You have no balls to come up here.”
A Democratic legislator off-camera subsequently initiated interruptions, prompting Comer to forcefully strike the gavel and repeatedly call for order as Mace engaged in a verbal exchange with the Democrat.
“I think that Hunter Biden should be arrested right here, right now. Go straight to jail,” Mace finally continued. “Our nation is founded on the rule of law. The law applies equally to everyone, no matter what your last name.”
She added: “It does not matter who you are, where you come from, or who your father is, or your last name. Yes, I’m looking at you, Hunter Biden, as I’m speaking to you. You are not above the law at all.”
Mace asked the first son: “Why can’t you show up for a congressional deposition? You’re here for a political stunt. This is just a PR stunt to you. This is just a game that you are playing with the American people. You’re playing with the truth.”
Ok, Nancy Mace just ripped Hunter Biden a new ass.
She might walk down there and cuff him herself by the time this hearing is over! pic.twitter.com/Myk2tqF61Z
— Joey Mannarino (@JoeyMannarinoUS) January 10, 2024
Shortly after the hearing commenced, it was reported that Hunter promptly stood up and departed.
During a recent interview on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” with Maria Bartiromo, House Judiciary Committee member Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) issued a cautionary statement, suggesting that Hunter Biden could potentially be sentenced to imprisonment for his failure to comply with a congressional subpoena.
As the Republican-led House proceeds with its impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, Jordan elaborated on the potential consequences that Hunter Biden may encounter for disregarding the subpoena.
“Well, if we pass it [contempt of Congress] out of the committee and then pass it through the full House, which I think we can do, then it goes to the Justice Department. That will be the attorney general’s decision whether he’s going to press charges,” Jordan said.
“But if he does, I mean, it could be up to a year of jail time for failing to come and comply with a deposition for subpoena, a subpoenaed deposition to be interviewed by Congress. So this is serious stuff,” the chairman added.
The Justice Department has established that a contempt of Congress conviction carries a minimum jail term of 30 days and a maximum sentence of one year, along with a fine of $100,000.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), the ranking member of the Oversight Committee, argued that this action would be without precedent. He stated, “The U.S. House of Representatives has never before held a private citizen in contempt of Congress when that individual has willingly offered to testify publicly, under oath, and on a day determined by the Committee.”
