Byron York doubts DOJ will charge Hunter Biden with contempt of Congress
The Washington Examiner’s Byron York Doubts DOJ Will Cite Hunter Biden for Contempt of Congress
The Department of Justice’s potential citation of Hunter Biden for contempt of Congress is being questioned by Byron York of The Washington Examiner. York, a Fox News contributor and chief political correspondent for the publication, expressed his doubts shortly after Hunter Biden delivered a rare public statement outside the Capitol in Washington.
According to York, House Republicans could become excited if Hunter Biden refuses to provide a deposition, as this could result in a contempt of Congress charge from the Justice Department. However, York believes that the DOJ may not actively pursue this charge.
York’s Doubts About DOJ’s Enthusiasm
“During the January 6th committee investigation, we saw the Justice Department get really serious about contempt of Congress,” York stated during an appearance on Fox News’s America’s Newsroom. “So when a couple of witnesses, like Steve Bannon, were obviously in contempt of Congress, they wouldn’t show up, talk, or produce anything. They were cited for contempt of Congress and the Justice Department prosecuted them. Here, I don’t think the Biden Justice Department would be very energetic in pursuing a Hunter Biden contempt of Congress charge.”
York suggests that if Hunter Biden is ordered to give a deposition to Congress, he should at least show up and plead the Fifth Amendment, exercising his right to remain silent.
Show Up and Plead the Fifth
“In Congress, if you’re subpoenaed to testify and you refuse to show up, they get really mad,” York explained. “But if you show up and say, ‘Well, because of the Fifth Amendment, I can’t answer your questions, but here I am, here is my body right in front of you,’ then they have less reason to go after you for contempt of Congress.”
The House Oversight Committee has subpoenaed Hunter Biden as part of the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. House Republicans believe that Hunter Biden is a crucial witness in their investigation into whether the president abused his power during his time as vice president.
Hunter Biden initially agreed to appear for public testimony, but House Republicans insisted on a private deposition beforehand. Hunter Biden’s refusal to comply with this request sets the stage for a potential contempt vote by the Republican-controlled House.
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What potential consequences and backlash could the DOJ face if they pursue a contempt of Congress charge against the President’s son
Es that the DOJ is unlikely to take such action against the President’s son.
Earlier this week, Hunter Biden appeared before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform to testify on his business dealings and potential conflicts of interest. Republicans on the committee have been pushing for answers regarding Hunter’s role on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma Holdings while his father, Joe Biden, was serving as Vice President of the United States.
During his public statement, Hunter Biden thanked the committee for allowing him to speak and defended his past actions, claiming that he has done nothing wrong. He also expressed his frustration with the Republican-led investigation, calling it a “partisan political exercise.”
Byron York, known for his conservative leanings, questioned the possibility of the DOJ citing Hunter Biden for contempt of Congress. In an article published in The Washington Examiner, York argued that the DOJ’s track record in recent years suggests a reluctance to pursue such charges against high-profile individuals.
York pointed out that the DOJ has faced criticism for its handling of high-profile cases, including the decision not to charge former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for mishandling classified information. This, along with other instances, has led York to doubt that the department would take action against Hunter Biden.
The conservative commentator also emphasized that the DOJ is not independent from political influence, and the decision to cite Hunter Biden for contempt would undoubtedly be seen as a politically motivated move. This raises serious questions about the fairness and impartiality of such a decision.
Furthermore, York argued that the DOJ may be hesitant to pursue a contempt of Congress charge against Hunter Biden due to the potential backlash it could generate. As the son of the President, any legal action against Hunter Biden would undoubtedly attract significant attention and scrutiny, further polarizing an already divided political landscape.
While some House Republicans may be hopeful that Hunter Biden’s refusal to provide a deposition could lead to a contempt charge, York believes that the DOJ will likely weigh the potential consequences before taking any action. He concludes that given the department’s recent track record and the political implications involved, it is unlikely that they will pursue contempt of Congress charges against the President’s son.
In the coming days, it remains to be seen how the DOJ will proceed in response to Hunter Biden’s refusal to provide a deposition. As the investigation into Hunter’s business dealings continues, the decision whether to cite him for contempt of Congress will undoubtedly have significant implications and could further fuel the ongoing political controversies surrounding the Biden family.
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