Hunter Biden testified to Congress that he did not involve his father, President Joe Biden, in his business dealings as the Republican impeachment inquiry heats up.
“I am here today to provide the Committees with the one uncontestable fact that should end the false premise of this inquiry: I did not involve my father in my business. Not while I was a practicing lawyer, not in my investments or transactions domestic or international, not as a board member, and not as an artist. Never,” he said in his opening statement obtained by Punchbowl News.
The first son’s comments about his father changed slightly from December, when he said, “My father was not financially involved in my business, not as a practicing lawyer, not as a board member of Burisma.” [Emphasis added]
At that time, Hunter Biden had been scheduled to testify before Congress in a closed-door deposition, but he only agreed to a public hearing. House Republicans had threatened to hold Hunter Biden in contempt, but he ultimately agreed last month that he would sit for a deposition.
Before Congress on Wednesday, Hunter Biden also acknowledged what he called his “mistakes,” but said that he was fully to blame.
“To be clear, I have made mistakes in my life, and I have squandered opportunities and privileges that were afforded to me. I know that. I am responsible for that. And I am making amends for that. But my mistakes and shortcomings are my own and not my father’s, who has done nothing but devote his entire life to public service and trying to make this country a better place to live,” the first son said.
Hunter Biden’s closed-door testimony will reportedly not be recorded. His interview comes after his uncle, James Biden, testified last week about allegations involving the family’s foreign business ventures.
