Hunter Biden's offer to testify publicly shot down by House Oversight Committee

The House Oversight and Accountability Committee on Tuesday rejected Hunter Biden's offer to publicly testify about his alleged wrongdoing, saying that the deposition will be closed-door, and President Joe Biden's son can defend himself publicly at a later date. 

"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," committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., said after the first son's attorneys proposed an open-door meeting on Dec. 13, rather than a closed-door deposition as planned. 

"We have seen you use closed-door sessions to manipulate, even distort the facts and misinform the public. We therefore propose opening the door," Hunter Biden's attorneys said in the letter Tuesday.

The committee had subpoenaed Hunter Biden, his uncle James Biden and his business associate Rob Walker earlier this month, and Comer said that it requires the first son to appear for a deposition on Dec. 13. 

"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," Comer also said.

The investigation comes as House Republicans are leading an impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden over an alleged influence-peddling scheme.

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