US House Republicans move to hold Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

House Republicans have recommended holding President Joe Biden’s son Hunter in contempt of US Congress, an admonishment for defying their subpoena to privately testify before their impeachment inquiry.

Republicans on the judiciary committee voted on Wednesday to send a contempt resolution to the House floor. Their colleagues on the House oversight committee are expected to follow suit.

The panel vote followed a chaotic day on Capitol Hill, as Hunter Biden’s appearance before an oversight hearing quickly descended into chaos.

James Comer, the top Republican on the House oversight panel, tried to keep the proceedings focused on the Republican’s main allegations: that the Biden family and their “associates” improperly earned millions from countries such as China and Russia while Joe Biden was vice-president.

But Hunter Biden’s decision to attend the hearing in person was a surprise — and prompted an onslaught of personal attacks by Republicans in the chamber.

“​​You are the epitome of white privilege, coming into the oversight committee, spitting in our face, ignoring a congressional subpoena to be deposed,” said South Carolina Republican Nancy Mace. “What are you afraid of? You have no balls to come up here.”

“I think that Hunter Biden should be arrested right here, right now and go straight to jail,” she later added.

Some Democrats tried to halt the barrage, prompting Republican Andy Biggs to tell them: “I think you should have decorum and courtesy — and don’t act like a bunch of nimrods.”

Hunter Biden promptly walked out of the hearing room when Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican and ally of Donald Trump, took her turn to speak. “What a coward,” said Greene.

Later, Greene attempted to enter unverified evidence from Hunter Biden’s laptop into the congressional record. Jamie Raskin, the top…