Republicans have accused Democrat Eric Swalwell of “aiding and abetting” Hunter Biden in defying a congressional subpoena after the president's son held a dramatic news conference just feet away from where he had a private statement have to take.
Lead impeachment investigators Reps. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., went forward with contempt charges as soon as Hunter wrapped up his news conference on Capitol Hill and sped off in an escalade — away from the chamber he needed to make a statement behind closed doors.
“If it's true that he did it, he supported the jurisdiction of this body,” Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., a member of the Judiciary Committee, told DailyMail.com.
“He is a member of this committee, he is aware of it,” Issa said, calling it “at the very least an ethical violation” that could prompt a formal complaint.
Judiciary Committee member Swalwell, D-Calif., set aside and set up a public space on the Senate side where Hunter and his attorneys could speak to the press.
Republicans have accused Democrat Eric Swalwell of “aiding and abetting” Hunter Biden to defy a congressional subpoena after the president's son held a dramatic news conference just yards from where he was scheduled to deliver a private statement.
Hunter Biden was subpoenaed for closed-door testimony by impeachment investigators Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and James Comer, R-Ky., head of the Oversight Committee.
His press conference took place on the Senate side because Republicans could theoretically have called the sergeant to arms to arrest Hunter if he had appeared on the House side of the Capitol campus for failing to comply with his subpoena.
Hunter's lawyers and impeachment leaders are locked in a dispute over whether he should testify publicly or behind closed doors.
Republicans believe Hunter would be more candid without a camera in his face, and that the committee's counsel would have more time to listen to Hunter and his attorneys.
In an open door, each member of the committee is given five minutes to question Hunter, with many spending more of that time creating sound bites.
“He's making a public presentation so he can take advantage of the media and use it for theater to get his talking points and his story out,” Rep. Gary Palmer, chairman of the GOP Policy Committee, told DailyMail.com, “instead from going private with his lawyers and the House of Representatives to asking him some very direct questions.'
The statement is part of an investigation into Joe Biden's involvement in his son's shady business dealings.
During his press conference, Hunter admitted he had made “mistakes” but claimed Republicans had weaponized his father's love during the height of his drug addiction.
“He is a member of this committee, he is aware of it,” Issa said, calling it “at the very least an ethical violation” that could prompt a formal complaint.
“I am here today to acknowledge that I have made mistakes in my life,” he told reporters. “I am also here today to correct how the MAGA right has portrayed me for political purposes.”
“My father had no financial involvement in my business,” he insisted.
“At the depths of my addiction, I was extremely irresponsible with my finances,” Hunter continued.
Last week, the DOJ laid out in its nine indictments everything Hunter spent money on — including nearly $1 million on prostitutes — instead of paying his taxes.
“(Republicans) have I have taken the light of my father's love for me and presented it as darkness,” Hunter continued.
Now Republicans say Hunter's “obstruction” of their investigation has forced them to take the president's son to court to force his cooperation – or face jail time.
“Hunter Biden today defied lawful subpoenas and we will now initiate contempt of Congress proceedings,” said a reactionary statement from Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer and Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan.
“We will not provide special treatment because his last name is Biden.”
If Hunter is held in contempt of Congress by a committee vote, his case would be referred to the Biden-led Justice Department. If DOJ agrees to prosecute the case, which is unlikely, he could face up to 12 months in prison or a fine of up to $100,000 if convicted.
Hunter was subpoenaed by Republicans last month, along with James Biden, the president's brother, and Biden family member Rob Walker. Attorneys for James have been in contact with the committee and they are working to schedule a time for his closed-door testimony.
Republicans are also expected to hold a vote later today to formalize their ongoing impeachment inquiry into Joe.
Most Republicans are hesitant to say they would vote to impeach the president with the evidence they've already received — but full House approval strengthens their fight in court for documents and testimony.
“You have to win the debate before you win the vote,” Issa said. “If we want to hold the vote, it must be reasonable and well-founded.”