OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
A House Oversight Committee hearing exploded into chaos as Republicans and Democrats went at each other after first son Hunter Biden appeared in the gallery.
Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) began the hearing by outlining Republicans’ case to hold Hunter in contempt of Congress after he refused to honor a subpoena issued last month for closed-door testimony.
“Our investigation has produced significant evidence suggesting President Biden knew of, participated in, and benefited from his family cashing in on the Biden name,” Comer said.
“We planned to question Hunter Biden about this record of evidence during our deposition, but he blatantly defied two lawful subpoenas.”
According to Comer, Hunter Biden’s deliberate refusal to abide by the committees’ subpoenas “constitutes contempt of Congress and warrants referral to the appropriate United States Attorney’s Office for prosecution by the law.”
“We will not provide Hunter Biden with special treatment because of his last name,” Comer said. “All Americans must be treated equally under the law. And that includes the Bidens.”
But the hearing went off the rails when Rep. Nancy Mace (R-N.C.) was recognized to speak after spotting Hunter Biden in the gallery.
“My first question is, who bribed Hunter Biden to be here today? That’s my first question,” Mace began. “Second question, you are the epitome of white privilege coming into the oversight committee, spitting in our face, ignoring a congressional subpoena to be deposed. What are you afraid of? You have no balls to come up here.”
A Democratic lawmaker from off-camera then began interrupting, leading Comer to bang the gavel and call for order several times while Mace sparred with the Democrat.
“I think that Hunter Biden should be arrested right here, right now. Go straight to jail,” Mace finally continued. “Our nation is founded on the rule of law. The law applies equally to everyone, no matter what your last name.”
She added: “It does not matter who you are, where you come from, or who your father is, or your last name. Yes, I’m looking at you, Hunter Biden, as I’m speaking to you. You are not above the law at all.”
Mace asked the first son: “Why can’t you show up for a congressional deposition? You’re here for a political stunt. This is just a PR stunt to you. This is just a game that you are playing with the American people. You’re playing with the truth.”
WATCH:
Ok, Nancy Mace just ripped Hunter Biden a new ass.
She might walk down there and cuff him herself by the time this hearing is over! pic.twitter.com/Myk2tqF61Z
— Joey Mannarino (@JoeyMannarinoUS) January 10, 2024
The first son reportedly got up and left the hearing shortly afterward.
Earlier this week, House Judiciary Committee Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) warned that Hunter Biden is facing jail time for ignoring a congressional subpoena.
In an interview segment with Maria Bartiromo on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” Jordan discussed what penalties Biden could face for ignoring the subpoena as the GOP-led House continues its impeachment investigation into his father, President Joe Biden.
“Well, if we pass it [contempt of Congress] out of the committee and then pass it through the full House, which I think we can do, then it goes to the Justice Department. That will be the attorney general’s decision whether he’s going to press charges,” Jordan said.
“But if he does, I mean, it could be up to a year of jail time for failing to come and comply with a deposition for subpoena, a subpoenaed deposition to be interviewed by Congress. So this is serious stuff,” the chairman added.
According to the Justice Department, a contempt of Congress conviction comes with a minimum of 30 days in jail with a maximum sentence of one year behind bars, as well as a fine of $100,000.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), the Oversight Committee’s ranking member, claimed that such a move would be unprecedented. “There is no precedent for the U.S. House of Representatives holding a private citizen in contempt of Congress who has offered to testify in public, under oath, and on a day of the Committee’s choosing,” he said.
