First son Hunter Biden has pleaded for public sympathy after skipping a transcribed interview with the House Oversight Committee under the threat of being held in contempt.
The 53 year old has said his father, President Joe Biden, was not financially involved in his business.
Speaking to press outside the Capitol building, Hunter Biden said: "For six years, I’ve been the target of the unrelenting Trump attack machine shouting, ‘Where’s Hunter?’ Well, here’s my answer, ‘I am here."
"Let me state as clearly as I can: my father was not financially involved in my business, not as a practicing lawyer, not as a board member of Burisma. Not my partnership with a Chinese private businessman, not in my investments at home nor abroad, and certainly not as an artist."
He added: "I’m here to testify at a public hearing today to answer any of the committee’s legitimate questions."
Hunter had received a subpoena to be interviewed by the Oversight Committee behind closed doors at 9:30 a.m.
However, his legal team, led by high-powered attorney Abbe Lowell, has repeatedly sought a public hearing, where House Democrats could attend.
Hunter added: "Republicans do not want an open process where Americans can see their tactics, expose their baseless inquiry and hear what I have to say,” said Hunter, who faces federal tax and weapons charges in California and Delaware. What are they afraid of?” the first son went on. “I’m here. I’m ready."
Hunter Biden
Reuters
Republican Representative Darrell Issa said he expects the panel will hold Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress if he does not show. "He's thumbing his nose at the American people," Issa said.
Republicans in the House of Representatives are pushing ahead with a plan to vote on Wednesday to authorize the probe before leaving for a three-week holiday break on Thursday.
They allege that Biden and his family improperly profited from decisions the elder Biden participated in while serving as vice president from 2009-17. Their investigation focuses closely on the business dealings of the younger Biden. They have so far failed to uncover evidence of wrongdoing.
Hunter added: "There is no evidence to support the allegations that my father was financially involved in my business, because it did not happen."
Hunter Biden, who has described his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, has also been subject to a years-long criminal investigation. That has resulted in federal firearms and tax charges.
He said: "In the depths of my addiction, I was extremely irresponsible with my finances. But to suggest that is grounds for an impeachment inquiry is beyond the absurd. It's shameless."
Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin defended Hunter Biden's decision not to testify behind closed doors.
Referring to House Republicans, Raskin said: "they continued to cherry pick little pieces of evidence and distort and misrepresent what has taken place ... This is a pattern that Hunter Biden and his lawyers clearly observed."