Is Hunter Biden above the law. picking and choosing to appear or not?

Always in His Presence · Dec 13, 2023

https://www.npr.org/2023/12/13/1219044855/hunter-biden-appears-on-capitol-hill-but-refuses-to-testify-behind-closed-doors

The president's son made an unexpected appearance on Capitol Hill Wednesday morning, but did not show up to a scheduled deposition with the House Oversight Committee. He told reporters that he is willing to testify in a public hearing, but not behind closed doors.

"I am here to testify at a public hearing today to answer any of the committee's legitimate questions," Biden said. "Republicans do not want an open process where Americans can see their tactics exposed, expose their baseless inquiry or hear what I have to say."

Oversight Chair James Comer, R-Ky., and Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said in a statement that Biden "defied lawful subpoenas" by failing to appear, and that they would now "initiate contempt of Congress proceedings."

rambot · Dec 13, 2023

My theory: Nobody should care about this.

Left wing: Should not care because it's Hunter, and nobody is voting for him.

Right Wing: They didn't care for several years about depositions for issues of FAR greater import than a submillion tax bill.

It does seem odd that they would want it behind close doors. That doesn't seem like the party of transparency; nor does it sound like a party that has a very clear, well supported case that they can simply put into the court of public opinion to form their own opinion.

Arcangl86 · Dec 13, 2023

Congress is free to enforce the subpoena by either suing him or finding him in contempt. Unlike judicially issued subpoenas they don't have any inherent coercive force.

seeking.IAM · Dec 13, 2023

I rather like the transparency Hunter Biden is requesting. I'd much rather the American public judge by what they heard rather than a second-hand report of what some political talking head said was said behind closed doors. His offer sounds pretty reasonable to me. Makes me wonder why Congress wouldn't take the offer.

essentialsaltes · Dec 13, 2023

hislegacy said:
Oversight Chair James Comer, R-Ky., and Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said in a statement that Biden "defied lawful subpoenas" by failing to appear, and that they would now "initiate contempt of Congress proceedings."

It's not clear the subpoena was lawful, or at least that it would stand up to legal scrutiny. As OP's article notes:

The vote [i.e. today's vote to start an actual impeachment inquiry] is intended, in part, to give committees greater legal authority to enforce subpoenas.

So a future subpoena of Hunter Biden will be harder to dodge.

--
Obligatory #1:

Pelosi was unable to issue valid subpoenas until the full House vote [to start an actual impeachment inquiry] was taken. After that vote took place, the subpoenas could flow.

Obligatory #2:

Jordan was referred to the House Ethics Committee, but no action was taken. Almost like he was above the law, picking and choosing whether to appear or not.

Brihaha · Dec 13, 2023

I look forward to the day our court reprimands these performance artists masquerading as members of the House of Representatives. Especially after Hunter agreed to offer a deposition publicly.

chevyontheriver · Dec 13, 2023

hislegacy said:
https://www.npr.org/2023/12/13/1219044855/hunter-biden-appears-on-capitol-hill-but-refuses-to-testify-behind-closed-doors

The president's son made an unexpected appearance on Capitol Hill Wednesday morning, but did not show up to a scheduled deposition with the House Oversight Committee. He told reporters that he is willing to testify in a public hearing, but not behind closed doors.

"I am here to testify at a public hearing today to answer any of the committee's legitimate questions," Biden said. "Republicans do not want an open process where Americans can see their tactics exposed, expose their baseless inquiry or hear what I have to say."

Oversight Chair James Comer, R-Ky., and Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said in a statement that Biden "defied lawful subpoenas" by failing to appear, and that they would now "initiate contempt of Congress proceedings."

Of course he's above the law. No surprise there.

essentialsaltes · Dec 13, 2023

chevyontheriver said:
Of course he's above the law. No surprise there.

Is that why he's facing felony tax charges?

The IbanezerScrooge · Dec 13, 2023

hislegacy said:
https://www.npr.org/2023/12/13/1219044855/hunter-biden-appears-on-capitol-hill-but-refuses-to-testify-behind-closed-doors

The president's son made an unexpected appearance on Capitol Hill Wednesday morning, but did not show up to a scheduled deposition with the House Oversight Committee. He told reporters that he is willing to testify in a public hearing, but not behind closed doors.

"I am here to testify at a public hearing today to answer any of the committee's legitimate questions," Biden said. "Republicans do not want an open process where Americans can see their tactics exposed, expose their baseless inquiry or hear what I have to say."

Oversight Chair James Comer, R-Ky., and Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said in a statement that Biden "defied lawful subpoenas" by failing to appear, and that they would now "initiate contempt of Congress proceedings."

Jordan will be included in those contempt proceedings, correct? What are Republicans afraid of? Why won't they have a public hearing and ask their questions in a public forum? I mean we all know why. We saw it with Archer. They have a history.

johansen · Dec 14, 2023

its all a joke.

dow hit a new record high today.

USincognito · Dec 14, 2023

hislegacy said:
https://www.npr.org/2023/12/13/1219044855/hunter-biden-appears-on-capitol-hill-but-refuses-to-testify-behind-closed-doors

The president's son made an unexpected appearance on Capitol Hill Wednesday morning, but did not show up to a scheduled deposition with the House Oversight Committee. He told reporters that he is willing to testify in a public hearing, but not behind closed doors.

"I am here to testify at a public hearing today to answer any of the committee's legitimate questions," Biden said. "Republicans do not want an open process where Americans can see their tactics exposed, expose their baseless inquiry or hear what I have to say."

Oversight Chair James Comer, R-Ky., and Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said in a statement that Biden "defied lawful subpoenas" by failing to appear, and that they would now "initiate contempt of Congress proceedings."

Now do Kevin McCarthy, Scott Perry, Andy Biggs, Mo Brooks and Jim Jordan.

KCfromNC · Dec 14, 2023

essentialsaltes said:
Is that why he's facing felony tax charges?

Asking for consistency in GOP talking points is just going to end in frustration and disappointment. They're not meant to inform about reality.

The IbanezerScrooge · Dec 14, 2023

Kinzinger blasts Jordan over contempt of Congress threat on Hunter Biden: ‘Absolute hypocrite’

Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) criticized Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), saying he is an “absolute hypocrite” for threatening to hold Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress for d…

thehill.com

durangodawood · Dec 14, 2023

hislegacy said:
https://www.npr.org/2023/12/13/1219044855/hunter-biden-appears-on-capitol-hill-but-refuses-to-testify-behind-closed-doors

The president's son made an unexpected appearance on Capitol Hill Wednesday morning, but did not show up to a scheduled deposition with the House Oversight Committee. He told reporters that he is willing to testify in a public hearing, but not behind closed doors.

"I am here to testify at a public hearing today to answer any of the committee's legitimate questions," Biden said. "Republicans do not want an open process where Americans can see their tactics exposed, expose their baseless inquiry or hear what I have to say."

Oversight Chair James Comer, R-Ky., and Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said in a statement that Biden "defied lawful subpoenas" by failing to appear, and that they would now "initiate contempt of Congress proceedings."

What law? Jim Jordan evaded the same kind of subpoena. So I dont think theres a law anymore re this.

Theres just what you can get away with. And this being a political fight inside congress, both sides clearly should try to get away with whatever they can.

rambot · Dec 14, 2023

chevyontheriver said:
Of course he's above the law. No surprise there.

If he's above the law why would he want it public? It doesn't make sense.

You shouldn't need the Republican wordomatic 5000 to twist his words in an origami crane. Let his own words speak

durangodawood said:
What law? Jim Jordan evaded the same kind of subpoena. So I dont think theres a law anymore re this.

Theres just what you can get away with. And this being a political fight inside congress, both sides clearly should try to get away with whatever they can.

The precedent was set 3 or 4 years ago: Taking responsibility for your actions is for kids, not rich politicians (...or the rich, I spose)

USincognito · Dec 14, 2023

chevyontheriver said:
Of course he's above the law. No surprise there.

Comer: We want Hunter to come in and testify.

Hunter: I'll gladly testify before the committee.

Comer: Hunter is refusing to testify!

CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN · Dec 14, 2023

I don't blame Hunter for wanting this to be public. The Republican investigators can't be trusted. They lie to keep voters. 17 years is nonsense, and everyone knows this. If Hunter is so bad, why don't Republican investigators want this trial to be public? Because they know they are over exaggerating to the news.

essentialsaltes · Dec 14, 2023

hislegacy said:
Oversight Chair James Comer, R-Ky., and Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said in a statement that Biden "defied lawful subpoenas" by failing to appear, and that they would now "initiate contempt of Congress proceedings."

(consider the source of this not-news item, but)

RedState: GOP Folds, Will Not Vote to Hold Hunter Biden in Contempt After He Ignored Subpoena

ThatRobGuy · Dec 14, 2023

Is he above the law?

One only needs to ask to questions to determine if one is "above the law"

1) Do they have a lot of money?

2) Do they have access to a really good legal team?

That doesn't make him unique in that regard...

What makes his situation unique is that he's the son of a Senator/VP/P.

His situation is one where he's simultaneously both "above the law" like any other rich person would be, while simultaneously being a the child of a prominent politician, which subjects one to be a proxy target and under a magnifying glass.

I touched on it in another thread, but remember back when Jenna Bush was in the news for months due to her multiple run-ins with underage drinking? If she was just a "regular rich girl" with parents who weren't household names, it wouldn't have been noteworthy, it would've been one of those "normal" situations where daddy invites the judge out to dinner, has a little chat, offers up a little donation of some sort, and they get a slap on the wrist. Because she was the daughter of a president, it became the subject of major media headlines.

Always in His Presence · Dec 14, 2023

essentialsaltes said:
(consider the source of this not-news item, but)

RedState: GOP Folds, Will Not Vote to Hold Hunter Biden in Contempt After He Ignored Subpoena

The link in the op is from npr.

Is Hunter Biden above the law. picking and choosing to appear or not?

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RedState: GOP Folds, Will Not Vote to Hold Hunter Biden in Contempt After He Ignored Subpoena​

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RedState: GOP Folds, Will Not Vote to Hold Hunter Biden in Contempt After He Ignored Subpoena

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