House Republicans warned Hunter Biden’s legal team Wednesday the first son would be held in contempt of Congress if he dodges a subpoena to appear next week before the committee investigating his overseas business ventures.
Hunter attorney Abbe Lowell had pressed House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) Wednesday morning to hold a public hearing with the first son Dec. 13 — ignoring the panel’s demand for a deposition behind closed doors.
“Contrary to the assertions in your letter, there is no ‘choice’ for Mr. Biden to make; the subpoenas compel him to appear for a deposition on December 13,” Comer wrote hours later in his response to Lowell, a copy of which was obtained by The Post.
“If Mr. Biden does not appear for his deposition on December 13, 2023, the Committees will initiate contempt of Congress proceedings.”
The high-powered criminal defense lawyer had denied in his missive that Hunter, 53, was seeking “special treatment” in requesting a public venue as opposed to a private deposition and stressed that Comer had indicated the “choice” was up to the first son.
Lowell highlighted statements on “The Benny Show,” Newsmax and a cover letter to Hunter in which Comer welcomed the prospect of public testimony by the president’s son, according to a copy of the attorney’s letter obtained by the Messenger.
“Mr. Biden has offered to appear at a hearing on the December 13, 2023, date you have reserved, or another date this month,” he wrote to Comer.
“He is making this choice because the Committee has demonstrated time and again it uses closed-door sessions to manipulate, even distort, the facts and misinform the American public — a hearing would ensure transparency and truth in these proceedings.”
Comer had rebuffed Lowell’s previous request for a public hearing last week and said he “expect[ed] full cooperation” with the initial subpoena.
“That won’t stand with House Republicans. Our lawfully issued subpoena to Hunter Biden requires him to appear for a deposition on December 13,” he said in a statement at the time.
The House panel chairman also accused the first son of “trying to play by his own rules” in asking for public testimony but acknowledged that he “should have [the] opportunity to testify in a public setting at a future date.”
Committee depositions are usually run by attorneys and staff behind closed doors, whereas public hearings are broadcast live and typically feature grandstanding by members of Congress.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said last week that Republicans would vote this month to authorize an impeachment inquiry into President Biden to determine whether he abused his office or profited from his son’s foreign business dealings.
Lowell did not immediately respond to a request for comment.