WASHINGTON — Hunter Biden was defiant Wednesday in a closed-door deposition on Capitol Hill, blasting a Republican impeachment inquiry into his father and the family’s business affairs as a “house of cards” built on “lies” as he faced a battery of probing questions from lawmakers.
“For more than a year, your Committees have hunted me in your partisan political pursuit of my dad,” Hunter Biden said in an opening statement obtained by The Associated Press. He accused Republicans of trafficking in “innuendo, distortion, and sensationalism” and insisted, “I did not involve my father in my business.”
After the nearly seven-hour deposition wrapped, an attorney for the president’s son told reporters that during the testimony Republicans “produced no evidence that would do anything to support the notion that there was any financial transactions that involved Hunter with his father. Period.”
He added, “It seems to me that the Republican members wanted to spend more time talking about my client’s addiction than they could ask any question that had anything to do with what they call their impeachment inquiry.” The White House echoed their sentiments, with press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre saying its the probe is a “stunt” that has “dragged on for months and months.”
But GOP lawmakers remained undeterred by Hunter Biden and his counsel’s repudiation of their investigation. Rep. James Comer, one of the GOP chairmen leading the inquiry, came out late Wednesday to declare that it was a “great deposition,” and said it helped back several pieces of evidence they’ve gathered thus far.
“But there are also some contradictory statements that I think need further review,” the Kentucky Republican said, adding that the next forum for that will be a public hearing with Hunter Biden at a future date.
The deposition of President Joe Biden’s son marked a decisive point for the 14-month Republican investigation into the Biden family. The probe has centered on Hunter Biden and his overseas work for clients in Ukraine, China, Romania and other countries. Republicans have long questioned whether those business dealings involved corruption and influence peddling by President Biden, particularly when he was vice president.