Should Hunter Biden Receive Special Treatment?

Abbe Lowell, attorney for Hunter Biden, confirmed that his client would testify before the House Oversight Committee about his foreign business dealings and allegations of Biden family corruption. However, his testimony apparently comes with conditions.

According to Chris Enloe at The Daily Signal, “Lowell told the committee that Hunter is prepared to “answer any pertinent and relevant question you or your colleagues might have.” However, he put a condition on the appearance: his client will only appear in a public hearing to avoid an alleged “cloaked, one-sided process.” 

“A public proceeding would prevent selective leaks, manipulated transcripts, doctored exhibits, or one-sided press statements,” Lowell claimed.

“We have seen you use closed-door sessions to manipulate, even distort the facts and misinform the public,” he wrote. “We therefore propose opening the door. If, as you claim, your efforts are important and involve issues that Americans should know about, then let the light shine on these proceedings.”

James Comer (R), House Oversight Committee Chairman, indicated that Hunter Biden would not be allowed to dictate the conditions of his appearance before Congress. Comer called Hunter Biden’s bluff and emphasized that he would still be required to comply with the subpoena.

“Hunter Biden is trying to play by his own rules instead of following the rules required of everyone else. That won’t stand with House Republicans,” Comer said.

“Our lawfully issued subpoena to Hunter Biden requires him to appear for a deposition on December 13,” he added. “We expect full cooperation with our subpoena for a deposition but also agree that Hunter Biden should have the opportunity to testify in a public setting at a future date.”

Lowell offered no support for his accusations against the committee. Neither did he explain why his client should get special treatment. All the depositions taken thus far by the committee have been conducted behind closed doors. The New York Times explained the Biden strategy:

Should Mr. Biden speak publicly in the House under oath, he would be taking risks, both criminally and politically. He is the subject of a federal criminal investigation now being led by a special counsel, and he is under indictment on charges of lying about his drug use on a federal form he filled out to purchase a handgun in 2018. Any testimony he provides to Congress could be used against him.

Mr. Biden has also engaged in activities – leveraging his father’s status for profit, accepting expensive gifts from overseas interests, failing to pay taxes on time, drug use and prostitution – that while already well documented could be politically damaging to President Biden’s re-election efforts if they become the focus of additional attention.

The Biden Department of Justice and the FBI have been giving Hunter Biden special treatment for several years. I say that it is past time for him to be treated as the average American would be treated.