House Committee releases contempt of Congress resolution for Hunter Biden
House Oversight Chair Representative James Comer, released a resolution Monday recommending the U.S. House of Representatives find the president’s son, Hunter Biden, in contempt of Congress after he skipped a deposition last month connected to the ongoing impeachment inquiry into his father. The Oversight Committee is scheduled to consider the resolution Wednesday before likely sending it to the House floor. These kind of proceedings for the president’s son are largely uncharted waters but could lead to federal criminal charges for Hunter, who already faces criminal charges for tax and gun crime allegations. Hunter ignored the Congressional subpoena and skipped his Dec. 13 deposition. Instead, he gave a brief speech to reporters outside the U.S. Capitol building. Hunter’s legal team has said he is willing to testify publicly but did not want his words to be twisted by lawmakers via closed-door testimony. Comer has responded that Hunter must comply with the subpoena for the private testimony but will likely be given his opportunity to testify publicly as well. The subpoena came as mounting evidence shows that the Biden family an associates received more than $20 million from overseas entities in China, Russia, Ukraine and more. IRS whistleblowers also testified that the president’s justice department leaned on the IRS to slow and hinder the investigation into Hunter. The key question is whether that money was then funneled to the current president. Some evidence shows that the president received checks totaling $240,000 from his family as well as what appears to be a monthly payment of nearly $1,400. But it remains unclear how directly or if those funds were tied to the overseas dealings. The president has denied that he financially benefited from any of his son’s dealings overseas. Comer said the subpoenas and ongoing investigation will get to the bottom of just that. “Mr. Biden’s testimony is a critical component of the impeachment inquiry into, among other things, whether Joseph R. Biden, Jr., as Vice President and/or President… took any official action or effected any change in government policy because of money or other things of value provided to himself or his family,” the resolution said. The resolution also said Hunter’s testimony will help lawmakers determine whether the president “abused his office of public trust by providing foreign interests with access to him and his office in exchange for payments to his family or him; or…abused his office of public trust by knowingly participating in a scheme to enrich himself or his family by giving foreign interests the impression that they would receive access to him and his office in exchange for payments to his family or him.” Written by:Casey Harper Republished with permission from The Center Square.
Barry Moore says he will vote to open an inquiry into impeaching Joe Biden
On Tuesday, Congressman Barry Moore (R-AL02) announced that he intends to vote in favor of a controversial proposal to formally open an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden (D). Moore claims that since Biden served as Vice President, foreign governments and entities working on behalf of foreign governments have paid as much as $24 million to members of the Biden family to curry favor and influence. “The media will tell you there’s no evidence for impeachment, but they won’t tell you the Bidens were paid $24 million by China, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Romania through 20 shell companies,” Rep. Moore wrote on the social media platform X. “I will be voting for an impeachment inquiry so we can uncover the truth.” After weeks of back and forth and a threat to hold him in contempt of Congress, Hunter Biden briefly appeared in the Capitol complex on Wednesday, making a public statement outside the building instead of showing up for his scheduled deposition following a subpoena from House Republicans. Much of that foreign money went to Hunter Biden, the President’s son. Hunter was at the Capitol on Wednesday to hold a press conference criticizing the investigation from House Republicans. Hunter criticized the impeachment inquiry into his father. Hunter Biden, already under a Department of Justice indictment, defied the congressional subpoena the committee sent for his appearance. He could potentially be held in contempt of Congress. “For six years, I’ve been the target of the unrelenting Trump attack machine shouting. ‘Where’s Hunter?’” Hunter Biden said in a statement to reporters. “Well, here’s my answer. I am here.” “Let me state as clearly as I can: My father was not financially involved in my business — Not as a practicing lawyer. Not as a board member of Burisma, not in my partnership with a Chinese private businessman, not my investment at all nor abroad, and certainly not as an artist,” Hunter said. “There’s no evidence to support the allegations that my father was financially involved in my business because it did not happen.” “We’re going to move forward with contempt proceedings… there’s a process we have to follow, but we plan to do that,” said House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Kentucky) said, “Chairman Jordan and I have been very clear when we issued a lawful subpoena to the President’s son, that we expect him to come in and be deposed. This is a normal process and investigation.” Rep. Moore responded to Hunter Biden’s defiance on X. “Hunter Biden expects the same special treatment he received from the DOJ, IRS, and FBI,” said Moore. “No more sweetheart deals. He refused to answer our questions, so we’re going to initiate contempt of Congress proceedings.” Moore is seeking a third term in the March 5 Republican primary. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Hunter Biden tax charges fans flame of impeachment inquiry
Hunter Biden’s latest tax indictment has fanned the fire of criticism against the president, who faces an impeachment inquiry by House Republicans and growing evidence that he personally benefited from his son’s overseas business deals. The latest indictment, which features nine more charges related to allegedly failing to file or pay taxes and filing falsely, backs up critics of the Biden family who say the impeachment inquiry is not without merit. “This indictment describes extremely serious felony violations of federal law for not only failing to pay taxes, but for engaging in a deliberate, intentional scheme to evade paying those taxes, including by claiming false and fraudulent business deductions. The standard sentence for that is many years in prison,” Hans von Spakovsky, a legal expert at the right-leaning Heritage Foundation, told The Center Square. “This also proves that the claims that there is nothing for the House committee to investigate is nonsense and it shows that the president himself was potentially involved in a shady, crooked business enterprise that sold government access for millions of dollars and did everything to hide its income from disclosure,” he added. House Oversight Committee Chair Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., also raised concerns about reports from IRS whistleblowers that the Department of Justice interfered in the IRS investigation into Hunter Biden. “The Department of Justice got caught in its attempt to give Hunter Biden an unprecedented sweetheart plea deal, and today’s charges filed against Hunter Biden are the result of Mr. Shapley and Mr. Ziegler’s efforts to ensure all Americans are treated equally under the law. Every American should applaud these men for their courage to expose the truth,” Comer said. “IRS whistleblowers also revealed investigators were prevented from following evidence that could have led to Joe Biden.” The Biden family and associates received more than $20 million from several overseas entities, including China and Russia, with Comer saying some of those funds were funneled to the president himself. The ongoing Congressional investigation into that matter is separate but linked to the latest tax charges indictment, which laid out how Hunter Biden spent lavishly on prostitutes, drugs, and more while not paying taxes. “Between 2016 and October 15, 2020, the Defendant spent this money on drugs, escorts and girlfriends, luxury hotels and rental properties, exotic cars, clothing, and other items of a personal nature, in short, everything but his taxes,” the indictment said. Comer threatened Hunter Biden with a contempt of Congress charge if he skips his scheduled deposition next week. Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley and Criminal Investigator Joseph Ziegler, both IRS employees with nearly 30 years of combined experience at the agency, testified earlier this year that Hunter Biden received preferential treatment. The whistleblowers testified that Assistant U.S. Attorney Lesley Wolf helped block investigators’ plan for an interview of the president and a search warrant of the Biden residence in Delaware. Biden’s DOJ also took fire for what was considered a lenient plea deal that was offered to Hunter Biden but later fell through. “But it also shows that he was almost right – he would have gotten away with this through a sweetheart plea deal with no jail time except for a federal judge questioning the unprecedented leniency of government prosecutors,” said Hans von Spakovsky. “And even though these are very serious charges – finally – they also show the incompetence of DOJ prosecutors or their deliberate malfeasance since he is only being charged with four years of tax violations when we know that these prosecutors allowed the statute of limitations to expire on prior years of similar tax violations.” Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Committees threaten Hunter Biden with contempt of Congress charge
Republican leadership on the House Oversight Committee and the House Judiciary Committee sent a letter to Hunter Biden Wednesday, threatening him with a contempt of Congress charge if he skips his scheduled Dec. 13 deposition. Those two committees are helping lead the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. Members got into a public spat with Hunter Biden after his lawyer requested a public hearing, accusing Republicans of twisting private testimony. House Oversight Chair Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., said Hunter Biden will be deposed but will likely be allowed to testify publicly at a later date. “On November 8, 2023, we issued subpoenas to your client, Robert Hunter Biden, for a deposition on December 13, 2023,” reads the Wednesday letter to Hunter’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell. “We received your letters dated November 28, 2023, and December 6, 2023, concerning the deposition subpoenas. Contrary to the assertions in your letter, there is no ‘choice’ for Mr. Biden to make; the subpoenas compel him to appear for a deposition on December 13. If Mr. Biden does not appear for his deposition on December 13, 2023, the Committees will initiate contempt of Congress proceedings.” The committees issued subpoenas in recent weeks to Hunter Biden and several other Biden family members and associates. The impeachment inquiry has intensified in recent months as the Oversight Committee released a steady stream of evidence to back allegations that the president financially benefited from his son’s overseas business dealings. IRS whistleblower testimony, bank records, and testimony from long-time Hunter Biden associate Devon Archer show the Biden family and associates received more than $20 million from several overseas entities, including in China, Russia, and Ukraine. Archer has said publicly that the president joined several phone calls on speaker phone with his son, Hunter, where Hunter’s business associates were present. Copies of two checks totaling $240,000 show direct payments to the president from his family members with a memo saying “loan repayment.” Comer, though, points out those checks came right after Hunter Biden received $5 million from a China-linked company. Hunter received that money through his joint venture with a Chinese national, the same venture that paid the president nearly $1,400 on a monthly basis, according to recently released bank records. An AP/NORC poll from October found that only 30% of Americans think the president did not do anything illegal or unethical related to his son’s business. Biden responded to a question from a reporter Wednesday asking why the president interacted so much with those associates. “I did not,” Biden said. “It’s just a bunch of lies. They’re lies. I did not. They’re lies.” Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Republicans kick off President Joe Biden’s impeachment inquiry
By Casey Harper | The Center Square U.S. House Republicans launched the first impeachment inquiry Thursday into President Joe Biden, who faces an array of allegations around bribery and financial impropriety related to personal business dealings spearheaded by his son, Hunter Biden. Republicans say they have significant evidence to back allegations that Hunter Biden received more than $20 million from several overseas entities in China, Ukraine, Russia, and more. Hunter also faces gun and tax-related legal difficulties. The impeachment inquiry, though, forces Republicans to focus on how much President Biden, in particular, was involved and benefited from these alleged dealings as Democrats argue the evidence is lacking. “Evidence reveals that then-Vice President Joe Biden spoke, dined, and developed relationships with his family’s foreign business targets,” House Oversight Committee Chair Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., said in his opening statement, referring in part to testimony from IRS whistleblowers and long-time business associate of Hunter Biden, Devon Archer. “These business targets include foreign oligarchs who sent millions of dollars to his family,” Comer added. “It also includes a Chinese national who wired a quarter of a million dollars to his son.” The wire in question from a Chinese national broke headlines this week and added further weight to the allegations against the president. Comer said this week that multiple wire transfers from Chinese nationals listed the president’s home address in Wilmington, Delaware, as the beneficiary address. “This happened when Joe Biden was running for President of the United States. And Joe Biden’s home is listed as the beneficiary address,” Comer said. “To date, the House Oversight Committee has uncovered how the Bidens and their associates created over 20 shell companies – most of which were created when Joe Biden was Vice President – and raked in over $24 million between 2014 to 2019. “We’ve also identified nine members of the Biden family who have participated in or benefited from these business schemes,” Comer added. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who launched the impeachment inquiry earlier this month, referenced those wire transfers when speaking with reporters ahead of the hearing. “While Joe Biden was running for president and told, and his attorney told too, that they received no money from China, we now know that yes, it came from Beijing,” McCarthy said. “It came from Jonathan Li, and the address on the wire is Joe Biden’s address. And then you find out, how did he meet this Jonathan Li? Well, he took Hunter Biden on Air Force Two when he went to China, and then Hunter had him meet the vice president then. “The vice president … he wrote letters of recommendation for his children too,” McCarthy added. The House Ways and Means Committee also released documents and communications earlier this week, including one with Hunter Biden “bragging in a 2017 email to a Chinese business executive that he negotiated a contract for $10 million per year for ‘introductions alone.’” Democrats remained steadfast during the hearing, arguing that there is no evidence against President Biden, specifically. U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., the ranking member on the committee, called it “preposterous,” and a “fairy tale.” “They’ve got nothing on Joe Biden,” Raskin said, arguing that former President Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani sparked this “conspiracy theory.” They also pointed to the indictments facing former President Donald Trump, who faces 91 charges across several states and from the federal government for his handling of classified documents, alleged ‘hush money’ payments to an adult film star, and his role in allegedly working to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. “It’s scandalous to use impeachment to establish a counterfeit moral equivalence between President Biden, an honorable public servant who has never been indicted or convicted of anything in his career of more than 50 years in public life,” Raskin said. “…and Donald Trump, a twice impeached president who’s recently been found in court to have sexually abused and defamed a woman and fraudulently inflated the value of his real estate properties…” Democrats also blasted Republicans for focusing on impeachment when the federal government is just days away from shutting down if Congress does not pass a new spending measure. “They are wasting time and taxpayer dollars in an illegitimate impeachment inquiry when we’re about 48 away or so from an extreme MAGA Republican government shutdown, and this is what they’re focused on?” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., told reporters. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
AG Merrick Garland takes fire from Republicans
House Republicans peppered Attorney General Merrick Garland with questions during a hearing Wednesday about the probe into Hunter Biden, the president’s son. As The Center Square previously reported, two IRS whistleblowers testified before Congress that the DOJ abused its power and interfered in their inquiry into Hunter Biden’s alleged tax crimes. Notably, they testified that the investigation was slowed so that the statute of limitations could run out on some charges. Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley and Criminal Investigator Joseph Ziegler, both IRS employees with a combined 27 experience years at the agency, testified before Congress that Assistant U.S. Attorney Lesley Wolf helped block investigators’ plan for an interview of the president and a search warrant of the Biden residence in Delaware. “Everyone knows why they did it,” House Judiciary Chair Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said at the hearing. “Those tax years, that… involved the president. It’s one thing to have a gun charge in Delaware. That doesn’t involve the president of the United States. But Burisma? That goes right to the White House.” Garland seemed to preempt some of these criticisms in his opening statement, saying he was not obligated to do the bidding of the president or Congress. He declined to give specific answers to many of the Republicans’ questions, including around the federal indictment of former President Donald Trump. “Our job is to pursue justice, without fear or favor,” Garland said in his opening statement. “Our job is not to do what is politically convenient. Our job is not to take orders from the president, from Congress, or from anyone else, about who or what to criminally investigate. As the President himself has said, and I reaffirm today: I am not the president’s lawyer. I will also add I am not Congress’s prosecutor.” That reference to Congress’s prosecutor is an apparent reference to Republicans’ frustrations with the DOJ for not prosecuting Hunter Biden more aggressively. House Oversight Committee Chair Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., has released a steady stream of evidence in recent months alleging that Hunter Biden was involved in an overseas “bribery scheme” and that his father knew about it. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who kicked off an impeachment inquiry on the same issue, pointed to about 150 U.S. Treasury Department suspicious activities reports filed by the agency around Hunter Biden’s dealings as well as bank records and the testimony from IRS whistleblowers who said the Biden family and associates received around $20 million from entities in adversarial nations. Special counsel David Weiss indicted Hunter Biden earlier this month over a gun purchase he made in 2018 after his plea deal unexpectedly fell through. Hunter Biden, who is also expected to face tax charges, was ordered by a federal magistrate judge on Wednesday to appear in court at his Oct. 3 hearing. Garland has taken fire over a string of incidents where critics say the agency has wrongly weaponized its power and targeted Americans, including working with social media groups to censor American posts and allegedly being more aggressive in prosecuting conservatives and right-leaning groups. “As someone who grew up in the Soviet Union, I’m disturbed by the fact that so many hardworking Americans—including my constituents—are afraid of political persecution by our own government,” said Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind. “Unfortunately, it does not seem like AG Garland is.” House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., and Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., recently sent a letter to the National Archives and Records Administration requesting travel records for Air Force Two after allegations that Hunter Biden may have used the vice president’s plane for his overseas deals when his father held that position in the Obama administration. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Tommy Tuberville says Joe Biden impeachment “needs to happen”
On Wednesday, U.S Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) said that although he does not like impeachment, “it needs to happen” after a meeting with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) with Jordan and Congressman James Comer (R) presented some of the evidence that they have collected against President Joe Biden. On Tuesday, Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-California) ordered the House to open up an impeachment inquiry. Tuberville said he was “shocked” by the evidence against President Biden and his son – Hunter Biden. “I just came from a meeting with Congressman Jim Jordan and Congressman James Comer. For the first time here in the Senate, most of us just sat down and listened as they laid out the case against President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden,” said Sen. Tuberville. “You know, I am absolutely shocked by the scale of the allegations and the strength of the evidence. We ought to be ashamed. Our media ought to be ashamed. Our institutions should be ashamed of what has gone on for the last four years without being investigated. I commend Speaker McCarthy for moving forward with an impeachment inquiry. You know, I don’t like impeachments – it holds back our country. But in this case, it needs to happen. The American people deserve the truth.” McCarthy directed the committees to open the impeachment inquiry into President Biden on Tuesday. The inquiry will center on whether Biden benefited from his son Hunter Biden’s business dealings and other issues. “These are allegations of abuse of power, obstruction, and corruption, and warrant further investigation by the House of Representatives,” Speaker McCarthy told reporters on Tuesday. “That’s why today, I am directing our House committee to open a formal impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. We will go wherever the evidence takes us.” During Donald Trump’s presidency, House Democrats impeached President Trump twice, including once in the waning days of Trump’s administration. President Trump’s efforts to launch an investigation into Hunter Biden’s ethically questionable business dealings – particularly his drawing a check from Ukrainian gas giant Burisma were largely ignored, even by the FBI. When Trump asked the President of Ukraine to investigate the Bidens, then Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-California) rushed through an impeachment process against not Biden, but President Trump. Both times that Trump was impeached, the Senate didn’t have the votes to remove him. Three Presidents have been impeached by the House of Representatives, but none were ever removed from office. If the Republican-controlled House impeaches Biden, it is hard to imagine a scenario where a Democrat-controlled Senate would vote to remove Biden in the midst of an election year. Earlier in the day, Tuberville told reporters that the American people “were tired of impeachments” and that the impeachment “isn’t going anywhere in the Senate.” Alabama Today, and to our knowledge – the rest of the media – have not seen the evidence that Republicans claim they have gathered against Joe Biden. That said, it is hard to imagine impeachment being seriously considered by Senate Democrats. Given that they hold a 51 to 49 edge in the Senate, it is hard to imagine any realistic scenario where the President is convicted by the Senate – particularly with the election less than 14 months away. Tuberville was elected to the Senate in 2020. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Republicans expand their Hunter Biden investigation by seeking an interview with the lead prosecutor
House Republicans on Thursday requested voluntary testimony from nearly a dozen Justice Department officials involved in the investigation of President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden as GOP lawmakers widen their scrutiny into what they claim is improper interference by the agency. Leaders of the Republican-controlled House Judiciary, Oversight and Accountability, and Ways and Means committees asked in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland for nine officials from the Justice Department and two from the FBI to appear for the interviews to address recent allegations made by two IRS employees who worked on the federal investigation into Hunter Biden’s taxes and foreign business dealings. “Recent startling testimony from Internal Revenue Services whistleblowers raises serious questions about the Department’s commitment to evenhanded justice and the veracity of assertions made to the Committee on the Judiciary,” Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio, James Comer of Kentucky, and Jason Smith of Missouri wrote in the letter obtained by The Associated Press. The individuals named in the letter include David Weiss, the U.S. attorney in Delaware in charge of the investigation, as well Assistant U.S. Attorney Lesley Wolf of Delaware and the top federal prosecutor for the District of Columbia Matthew Graves. Garland said last week that the Justice Department will not object to Weiss testifying to Congress. A department spokesperson confirmed receipt of the letter but declined further comment. The request comes about a week after Biden, 53, reached an agreement with the government to plead guilty to misdemeanor tax offenses. The plea deal would also avert prosecution on a felony charge of illegally possessing a firearm as a drug user, as long as Biden adheres to conditions agreed to in court. Days later, the House Ways and Means Committee, led by Smith, voted to publicly disclose congressional testimony from the IRS employees. The testimony from Greg Shapley and an unidentified agent detailed what they called a pattern of “slow-walking investigative steps” and delaying enforcement actions in the months before the 2020 election won by Joe Biden. It is unclear whether the conflict they describe amounts to internal disagreement about how to pursue the investigation or a pattern of interference and preferential treatment. Department policy has long warned prosecutors to take care in charging cases with potential political overtones around the time of an election, to avoid influencing the outcome. The Justice Department has denied the claims and said Weiss, appointed to his job when Donald Trump was president, had full authority over the case. The letter provided a deadline of July 13 for the department to begin scheduling the individuals for transcribed interviews. It said that if the deadline is not met, the committee chairmen will resort to using a congressional subpoena to force cooperation. Beyond Hunter Biden, the House Oversight and Accountability Committee led by Comer has undertaken a broader review of the Biden family’s finances and foreign dealings, issuing dozens of subpoenas to business associates and financial institutions. Republicans have focused much attention on an unverified tip to the FBI that alleged a bribery scheme involving Joe Biden when he was vice president. The unsubstantiated claim, which first emerged in 2019, was that Biden pressured Ukraine to fire its top prosecutor in order to stop an investigation into Burisma, an oil-and-gas company where Hunter Biden was on the board. Democrats said in a letter Thursday to Comer that the Justice Department investigated the claim when Trump was president and closed the matter after eight months, finding “insufficient evidence” that it was true. Democrats highlighted the transcript of an interview with Mykola Zlochevsky, Burisma’s co-founder, in which he denied having any contact with Joe Biden while Hunter Biden worked for the company. “Mr. Zlochevsky’s statements are just one of the many that have debunked the corruption allegations,” said the committee’s top Democrat, Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
Hunter Biden will plead guilty in a deal that likely averts time behind bars in a tax and gun case
President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden will plead guilty to federal tax offenses but avoid full prosecution on a separate gun charge in a deal with the Justice Department that likely spares him time behind bars. Hunter Biden, 53, will plead guilty to the misdemeanor tax offenses as part of an agreement made public Tuesday. The agreement will also avert prosecution on a felony charge of illegally possessing a firearm as a drug user, as long as he adheres to conditions agreed to in court. The deal ends a long-running Justice Department investigation into the taxes and foreign business dealings of President Biden’s second son, who has acknowledged struggling with addiction following the 2015 death of his brother Beau Biden. It also averts a trial that would have generated days or weeks of distracting headlines for a White House that has strenuously sought to keep its distance from the Justice Department. The president, when asked about the development at a meeting on another subject in California, said simply, “I’m very proud of my son.” The White House counsel’s office said in a statement that the president and first lady Jill Biden “love their son and support him as he continues to rebuild his life.” While the agreement requires the younger Biden to admit guilt, the deal is narrowly focused on tax and weapons violations rather than anything broader or tied to the Democratic president. Nonetheless, former President Donald Trump and other Republicans continued to try to use the case to shine an unflattering spotlight on Joe Biden and to raise questions about the independence of the Biden Justice Department. Trump, challenging President Biden in the 2024 presidential race, likened the agreement to a “mere traffic ticket,” adding, “Our system is BROKEN!” House Speaker Kevin McCarthy compared the outcome to the Trump documents case now heading toward federal court and said, “If you are the president’s son, you get a sweetheart deal.” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, another presidential challenger, used the same term. Two people familiar with the investigation said the Justice Department would recommend 24 months of probation for the tax charges, meaning Hunter Biden will not face time in prison. But the decision to go along with any deal is up to the judge. The people were not authorized to speak publicly by name and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. He is to plead guilty to failing to pay more than $100,000 in taxes on over $1.5 million in income in both 2017 and 2018, charges that carry a maximum possible penalty of a year in prison. The back taxes have since been paid, according to a person familiar with the investigation. The gun charge states that Hunter Biden possessed a handgun, a Colt Cobra .38 Special, for 11 days in October 2018 despite knowing he was a drug user. The rarely filed count carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, but the Justice Department said Hunter Biden had reached a pretrial agreement. This likely means as long as he adheres to the conditions, the case will be wiped from his record. Christopher Clark, a lawyer for Hunter Biden, said in a statement that it was his understanding that the five-year investigation had now been resolved. “I know Hunter believes it is important to take responsibility for these mistakes he made during a period of turmoil and addiction in his life,” Clark said. “He looks forward to continuing his recovery and moving forward.” The agreement comes as the Justice Department pursues perhaps the most consequential case in its history against Trump, the first former president to face federal criminal charges. The resolution of Hunter Biden’s case comes just days after a 37-count indictment against Trump in relation to accusations of mishandling classified documents on his Florida estate. It was filed by a special counsel, appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to avoid any potential conflict of interest in the Justice Department. That indictment has nevertheless brought an onslaught of Republican criticism of “politicization” of the Justice Department. Meanwhile, congressional Republicans continue to pursue their own investigations into nearly every facet of Hunter Biden’s business dealings, including foreign payments. Rep. James Comer, the Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee, said the younger Biden is “getting away with a slap on the wrist,” despite investigations in Congress that GOP lawmakers say show — but have not yet provided evidence of — a pattern of corruption involving the family’s financial ties. Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, on the other hand, said the case was thoroughly investigated over five years by U.S. Attorney David Weiss, a Delaware prosecutor appointed by Trump. Resolution of the case, Coons said, “brings to a close a five-year investigation, despite the elaborate conspiracy theories spun by many who believed there would be much more to this.” California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who was scheduled to campaign with the president Tuesday evening, reaffirmed his support for Biden’s reelection. “Hunter changes nothing,” Newsom told the AP on Tuesday. Misdemeanor tax cases aren’t common, and most that are filed end with a sentence that doesn’t include time behind bars, said Caroline Ciraolo, an attorney who served as head of the Justice Department’s tax division from 2015 to 2017. An expected federal conviction “is not a slap on the wrist,” she said. Gun possession charges that aren’t associated with another firearm crime are also uncommon, said Keith Rosen, a past head of the criminal division in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Delaware. For people without a significant criminal history, the total number of multiple types of illegal possession cases filed every year in Delaware amounts to a handful, he said. The Justice Department’s investigation into the president’s son burst into public view in December 2020, one month after the 2020 election, when Hunter Biden revealed that he had received a subpoena as part of the department’s scrutiny of his taxes. The subpoena sought information on the younger Biden’s business dealings with a number of entities, including
Mike Rogers and James Comer say DOD failed to protect servicemembers private information
On Friday, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Mike Rogers and Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform James Comer released a statement saying that they are “disappointed’ with the Department of Defense for failing to protect servicemember records after receiving a response from the DoD on the matter. “The Department of Defense failed to protect the private information of our servicemembers,” Rogers and Comer wrote. “To publicly rectify this unacceptable mistake, we hoped DoD would provide full transparency in their response – unfortunately, full transparency is not what we received.” “We are extremely disappointed in DoD’s inadequate response to our questions,” Rogers and Comer wrote. “We asked Secretary (Lloyd) Austin for information on all servicemembers who had their records improperly released to the Democrat-aligned research firm Due Diligence Group. However, DoD only provided our committees with answers from the Department of the Air Force, despite public reporting that DDG attempted to gather information from other services.” “DoD’s response did not give us confidence that all services have put safeguards in place to ensure that servicemembers’ private information is not mishandled,” Rogers and Comer stated. “DoD also failed to provide our committees with information on what actions were taken with the individuals involved in the mishandling of servicemember records and if criminal referrals have been made. We will be demanding the Secretary provide full transparency and accountability on this matter. It is imperative the Secretary take every action possible to ensure this egregious incident will never happen again. We will continue to fight on behalf of our servicemembers and their privacy.” This follows recent public reports that the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force (OSAF) improperly released information from several servicemembers’ personnel files to political operatives. The released information includes at least two Members of Congress, reportedly released to an opposition research firm Due Diligence Group that received money from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). Congressman Chris Stewart and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan last week sent a letter to U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall demanding information on the breach of servicemembers’ personal information without their knowledge or consent. “The Committee on the Judiciary and the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government are investigating the mass collection and dissemination of information about American citizens by federal agencies,” Stewart and Kendall wrote. “Following reports last fall, Members of Congress, including Congressman Stewart, corresponded with Air Force Inspector General Lieutenant General Stephen Davis regarding the steps his office is taking to investigate the circumstances of this improper release of personnel materials. Recent public reports have disclosed that the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force (OSAF) improperly released information from several additional servicemembers’ personnel files to political operatives. As alleged in the reporting, this is a serious breach of law and servicemember privacy. To advance our oversight and to inform potential legislative reforms, we write to request information about this serious breach of our servicemembers’ personal information.” Mike Rogers is in his eleventh term representing Alabama’s Third Congressional District. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Treasury Department agrees to hand over Hunter Biden files
The House Oversight Committee said Tuesday that the U.S. Treasury Department is providing the investigatory committee with access to Hunter Biden’s Suspicious Activity Reports after months of delay. The revelation is the latest chapter in the committee’s ongoing investigation into the president’s son and his associates. The lawmakers concerned with the issue argue the president could be compromised if foreign sources have knowledge of his or his son’s alleged wrongdoing. “According to bank documents we’ve already obtained, we know one company owned by a Biden associate received a $3 million wire from a Chinese energy company two months after Joe Biden left the vice presidency,” House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer, R-Ky, said. “Soon after, hundreds of thousands of dollars in payouts went to members of the Biden family.” Lawmakers are also looking into Hunter’s associates. They sent letters to James Biden, and Eric Schwerin demanding they hand over documents concerning their foreign dealings. Now, the committee has reportedly issued subpoenas to some of Hunter’s business associates as well. “We are going to continue to use bank documents, and suspicious activity reports to follow the money trail to determine the extent of the Biden family’s business schemes, if Joe Biden is compromised by these deals, and if there is a national security threat,” Comer said. The committee still blasted the Biden administration, saying the Treasury Department delayed in providing access to the files. “After two months of dragging their feet, the Treasury Department is finally providing us with access to the suspicious activity reports for the Biden family and their associates’ business transactions,” Comer said. “It should never have taken us threatening to hold a hearing and conduct a transcribed interview with an official under the penalty of perjury for Treasury to finally accommodate part of our request. For over 20 years, Congress had access to these reports, but the Biden Administration changed the rules out of the blue to restrict our ability to conduct oversight.” Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Barry Moore votes in favor of legislation forcing Biden Administration to examine inflationary policies
On Wednesday, Congressman Barry Moore voted in favor of H.R. 347, the Reduce Exacerbated Inflation Negatively Impacting the Nation (REIN IN) Act sponsored by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. This legislation would force President Joe Biden, through the Office of Management and Budget and the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors, to produce statements examining the inflationary impacts of the President’s major executive orders that exceed more than $1 billion in annual budgetary effects before they are enacted. “President Biden’s failed economic policies continue to fuel massive inflation that hurts American families,” said Rep. Moore. “These families deserve to know how much Biden’s policies, such as the student loan bailout or Green New Deal regulations, will truly cost them at the grocery store and the gas pump. House Republicans said we will hold Biden accountable in this new Congress, and this legislation will help us fulfill that promise.” “Every hardworking family is forced to pay more for almost everything due to Joe Biden’s failed economic policies. Instead of reversing course, Joe Biden and his administration have doubled down on their Far-Left tax and spend agenda that has continued to exacerbate this inflation crisis,” said Rep. Stefanik. As hardworking families in New York’s 21st District and across the nation are forced to pay the price for Democrats’ out-of-control spending, I am working to hold this administration accountable and rein in the policies that fuel devastating inflation, which is a tax on every family. Already, the new Republican majority is working to fulfill our commitment to America and create an economy that is strong, which begins with this critical check to rein in the Biden Administration’s reckless policies fueling inflation.” Congresswoman Stefanik is the House Republican Conference Chair. Stefanik, House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith, House Financial Services Committee Chairman Patrick McHenry, and House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer introduced the REIN IN Act. “The new Republican House majority is committed to honoring the promise we made to the American people to stop the reckless spending that ignited and continues to fuel inflation, which has risen 14.3 percent since President Biden took office,” said Rep. Smith. “That’s exactly why we’re fighting to hold President Biden accountable for his radical executive actions that will cost taxpayers over one trillion dollars and counting and has thrown more fuel on the inflation fire. I’m proud to join Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik and Financial Services Chairman Patrick McHenry in introducing this legislation to require some much-needed transparency on the hidden costs being passed on to working families because of Joe Biden’s executive actions.” “From energy to groceries, Democrat-induced inflation is making everyday life unaffordable for families across western North Carolina and the country,” said Rep. McHenry. “President Biden’s inflationary executive actions have fueled the economic pain facing all Americans. The REIN IN Inflation Act will deliver on House Republicans’ commitment to rebuilding an economy that’s strong by adding much-needed transparency and reining in the inflationary actions of the Biden Administration. I’m proud to reintroduce this critical legislation with Chairwoman Stefanik and Chairman Smith.” “Americans need relief from historic inflation that’s harming their pocketbooks and livelihoods,” said Comer. “House Republicans are holding the Biden Administration accountable for their reckless inflation-inducing government spending and providing solutions for the American people. The REIN IN Inflation Act provides transparency about the Biden Administration’s unilateral executive actions that are fueling inflation. I thank Conference Chairwoman Stefanik for leading this effort to deliver results for the American people.” President Biden has defended his handling of the economy. “Today, we’ve got some good news — good news about the economy,” President Biden said in January. “For the sixth month in a row, inflation has come down. Measured over the last 12 months, it has fallen 6.5 — to 6.5 percent. That’s down from 7.1 percent the month before. It’s down from 9.1 percent this summer. Inflation is now at its lowest level since October of 2021. When we look at the — at the — just the last three months, we see that inflation fell to 1.8 percent on an annualized basis. It’s down from more than 11 percent in the first three months of last year.” “So, the data is clear: Even though inflation is high in major economies around the world, it is coming down in America month after month, giving families some real breathing room,” Biden continued. “And the big reason is falling gas prices. My administration took action to get more oil onto the market and bring down prices. Now, gas is down more than $1.70 from its peak. And that adds up to a family with — a typical family with two vehicles to a savings of $180 a month, every single month, that stays in their pockets instead of being spent at the pump. Food inflation is slowing as well. Last month, we saw the smallest increase in food prices in almost two years. And much of that increase was due to the avian flu outbreak, which has driven up the egg prices around — in the United States.” Barry Moore is in his second term representing Alabama’s Second Congressional District. Moore is a small businessman, a veteran, and an Auburn University graduate. He served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 2010 to 2018. He and his family live in Enterprise. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
