Hunter Biden testifies to Congress that his father was not involved in his business deals.
Washington — Hunter Biden
is giving testimony on Wednesday in front of two House committees, both of which are led by Republicans.impeachment inquiry
President Biden’s son, in a private testimony to lawmakers, stated that his father did not play a role in his multiple business transactions.
On Wednesday, Biden gave a pre-written statement where he challenged the basis of the investigation, stating that he did not involve his father in his business. He also commented that his testimony should bring an end to this unfounded and harmful political farce.
“In his prepared statement, he stated that your Committees have been relentlessly pursuing me in a partisan attempt to target my father for over a year. You have spread vague insinuations, twisted facts, and exaggerated information, all while turning a blind eye to the undeniable and convincing proof. Your allegations against my father, based on baseless and politically-motivated MAGA conspiracies, lack any solid evidence.”
One month ago, there were discussions about holding him in contempt of Congress. However, before this measure was taken, he decided to testify willingly. The reasoning behind this was that his testimony was seen as crucial for the impeachment inquiry, which focused on accusations that the president used his family’s businesses for his own gain during his time as vice president.
However, the investigation has not revealed any proof of impeachable actions, and suffered a setback when the special counsel, appointed by President Trump, examined Hunter Biden.
given a single assignment as an FBI informant Russian intelligence officials.
The assertions, which prosecutors now deem as inaccurate, have played a key role in the Republican argument that the President engaged in inappropriate actions to benefit his family’s international business endeavors.
According to Abbe Lowell, a lawyer representing Hunter Biden, the accusations indicate that the impeachment investigation is founded on deceitful and unreliable claims and testimonies. The White House has disregarded the impeachment inquiry as a groundless attempt at political manipulation.
On Wednesday afternoon, Rep. Greg Casar, a Democratic representative from Texas, informed reporters that nothing new has been disclosed in Hunter Biden’s deposition.
said that he had no involvement in establishing a joint venture between a Chinese private equity firm and his family’s business
Legislators listened to James Biden, the president’s sibling, give a statement last week stating that he played no role in the formation of a partnership between a Chinese private equity company and his family’s company.said
The president was not involved in the business dealings of other members of his family.
In a statement obtained by CBS News, the president’s brother informed lawmakers during a private meeting that he has been involved in numerous business endeavors over the course of 50 years. He also clarified that Joe Biden has never had any connection or financial stake in those operations, both directly or indirectly.
Prosecutors say that a previous informant for the FBI provided false information about the connections between the Bidens and a Ukrainian energy company.
House Oversight Chairman James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, said in a statement Tuesday that his committee’s investigation has revealed that “Joe Biden was ‘the brand’ his family sold to enrich” themselves.
Comer said Joe Biden participated in dinners, made phone calls, attended meetings, and met with his son’s international business partners.
A previous colleague of Hunter Biden from a business venturetestified last year that the younger Biden would occasionally put his father on speakerphone at business meetings, but they never discussed business on the calls. The associate said the then-vice president was put on the phone to help Hunter Biden sell “the brand.”
According to Hunter Biden’s lawyer, his business partners only engaged in casual conversation with his father and nothing more.
The GOP contends that these occurrences demonstrate the president’s involvement in his son’s overseas business ventures, despite the president and his son’s consistent denials.
Chaired by Comer, the committee is intending to issue additional subpoenas and conduct more interviews with witnesses following Hunter Biden’s testimony.
A member of the impeachment investigation team stated that the committee intends to eventually conduct a public hearing.
Congressman Eric Swalwell, a Democratic representative from California, expressed uncertainty about the possibility of Hunter Biden giving a public testimony.
Swalwell assured the press on Wednesday that there is no chance of Hunter Biden providing public testimony, even though Comer claims to have plans for a public hearing. The situation is too humiliating for them to make it public.
There was a legal accusation against Hunter Biden in California last December, accusing him of not paying at least $1.4 million in federal taxes between 2016 and 2019 during his battle with addiction. He has since settled his unpaid taxes by taking out a loan.Kevin Morris, a Hollywood attorney.
Morris testified
In a communication to legislators in January, he refuted allegations that he utilized loans given to Hunter Biden as a means of gaining entry and sway in the presidential residence.
“He did not have any expectations of receiving any benefit from Hunter’s father or the Biden administration as a result of assisting Hunter. Additionally, he denies requesting anything from President Biden or his team. His sole intent was to assist his friend and client,” he stated in a released statement following his testimony.
Hunter Biden has been charged with three federal gun charges in Delaware for allegedly misrepresenting his drug use in order to purchase and possess a firearm for a period of 11 days in 2018, in addition to facing tax charges.
He denies being guilty of all the accusations made against him.
Reporting was contributed by Nikole Killion and Jenna Gibson.
Caitlin Yilek
Source: cbsnews.com