James Comer has strongly criticized Hunter Biden for his apparent intention to skip the upcoming public hearing, warning that the GOP might pursue criminal recommendations in response.
The Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, Comer, raised the prospect after Hunter Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, declined an invitation to appear at the Wednesday hearing, dismissing it as a “carnival side-show.”
In an interview with Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” Comer (R-Ky.) emphasized the importance of addressing any discrepancies in the investigation, stating, “I fully expect Hunter Biden to show up.”
Comer stressed the significance of Hunter Biden’s presence, particularly in light of conflicting testimonies from three witnesses who have previously testified under oath about the alleged Biden influence peddling schemes.
Asserting the seriousness of the situation, Comer cautioned, “This is very serious because we’re at the point now of criminal referrals.”
The Kentucky Republican leading the impeachment inquiry across three panels suggested that it is in Hunter Biden’s best interest to attend and counter the accusations made by his former business associates.
Scheduled to appear alongside Hunter Biden are his former business partners Devon Archer, Tony Bobulinski, and Jason Galanis, all of whom have testified previously about the Biden family’s alleged influence peddling abroad.
Comer refrained from disclosing who might face criminal referrals, noting the extensive obstruction faced during the year-long investigation but highlighting the accumulation of evidence indicating wrongdoing.
President Biden and his son Hunter have vehemently denied Comer’s assertions regarding their family’s activities, with the president denying any wrongdoing.
Hunter Biden previously testified for over six hours on February 28 before the panel, exhibiting combative behavior with Republicans, as evidenced by the transcript.
Having skipped a scheduled appearance in December 2023, Hunter Biden later agreed to testify behind closed doors in February after weeks of negotiation.
In a letter rejecting the March 20 appearance request, Lowell criticized Comer for relying on information from “convicted liars” and denounced the planned witnesses as “discredited.”
Comer cited two payments allegedly received by President Biden from his son’s overseas dealings as evidence of his benefit from Hunter’s business engagements.
Highlighting payments of $40,000 in September 2017 and $200,000 in March 2018, Comer claimed the former was laundered funds from the Chinese government-linked CEFC China Energy.
Additionally, Comer pointed out that the latter payment coincided with a transfer of the same amount to Joe Biden from James Biden, who had received it from Americore Health.
Accusing Joe Biden of benefiting from these transactions, Comer claimed to have evidence of multiple lies by the president.
White House officials have criticized Comer for what they perceive as selective presentation of information and the propagation of false narratives about the Biden family.
Ian Sams, a White House spokesperson for oversight and investigations, urged House Speaker Mike Johnson to halt the probe, emphasizing the need to focus on more pressing matters for the American people.
Sams and other Biden allies have underscored House Republicans’ reluctance to pursue full-blown impeachment proceedings against the president.
