# Should Joe Biden Testify During the Impeachment Hearings? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [December 29, 2019, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-joe-biden-testify-during-the-impeachment-hearings/845540 "2019-12-29T09:13:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Wrenching\_Spanners](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecb155/32.png) [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-joe-biden-testify-during-the-impeachment-hearings/845540/1 "2019-12-29T09:13:49Z")
From the original NPR transcript 20 days ago: > [@](#): > > NPR: But this is a real thing that’s happening. Republicans are suggesting that they would subpoena you and President Trump — these issues will be parsed out in the Senate trial. > > JB: That’s right. > > NPR: But the question is, would you comply with the subpoena? > > JB: No, I will not yield to what everybody is looking for here. > **[Transcript: NPR's Full Interview With Joe Biden](https://www.npr.org/2019/12/09/785521659/transcript-nprs-full-interview-with-joe-biden?t=1577609658951)** > > Morning Edition host Rachel Martin interviews former Vice President Joe Biden aboard his campaign bus about his bid for the Democratic nomination and the impeachment inquiry against President Trump. Biden’s since walked his comments back a bit saying he would comply with the law, but is still equivocating: > [@](#): > > But I am just not going to pretend that there is any legal basis for Republican subpoenas for my testimony in the impeachment trial. > **[Joe Biden Reverses Course on Potential Trump Impeachment Subpoena](https://time.com/5756251/biden-trump-impeachment-iowa-subpoena/)** > > “I would obey any subpoena that was sent to me.” If Biden has nothing to hide, then he should welcome the chance to testify before the Senate and be exonerated, correct? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-joe-biden-testify-during-the-impeachment-hearings/845540/2 "2019-12-29T09:49:31Z")
The entire reason the Republicans want Biden there is to turn it into a trial of _Biden_ instead of a trial of Trump’s conduct as President, which is what they’re _supposed to be doing_. Not only should Biden not be there, the partisan idiots who proposed this idea should be struck on the nose with a rolled up newspaper and firmly told “No!” ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-joe-biden-testify-during-the-impeachment-hearings/845540/3 "2019-12-29T09:59:39Z")
Nope. He’s not the one on trial, Trump is. ---
**Author:** ![Wrenching\_Spanners](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecb155/32.png) [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-joe-biden-testify-during-the-impeachment-hearings/845540/4 "2019-12-29T10:31:54Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > The entire reason the Republicans want Biden there is to turn it into a trial of _Biden_ instead of a trial of Trump’s conduct as President, which is what they’re _supposed to be doing_. > > Not only should Biden not be there, the partisan idiots who proposed this idea should be struck on the nose with a rolled up newspaper and firmly told “No!” But if both Joe Biden and Hunter Biden have done nothing wrong, then Joe Biden’s testimony will establish that, correct? Which will make Trump’s attempt to have the Bidens investigated by Ukrainian authorities look even more foolish and corrupt. If the Biden’s have nothing to hide, then Joe’s testimony will be a bland side part of the Senate trial. Why should Joe Biden resist providing honest innocent answers to senators if it’s not going to do him any harm and may actually make Trump look worse? ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-joe-biden-testify-during-the-impeachment-hearings/845540/5 "2019-12-29T10:34:54Z")
> [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > But if both Joe Biden and Hunter Biden have done nothing wrong, then Joe Biden’s testimony will establish that, correct? Which will make Trump’s attempt to have the Bidens investigated by Ukrainian authorities look even more foolish and corrupt. > > If the Biden’s have nothing to hide, then Joe’s testimony will be a bland side part of the Senate trial. Why should Joe Biden resist providing honest innocent answers to senators if it’s not going to do him any harm and may actually make Trump look worse? Because it’s a bullshit distraction tactic. The Bidens are not on trial, Trump is. ---
**Author:** ![Wrenching\_Spanners](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecb155/32.png) [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-joe-biden-testify-during-the-impeachment-hearings/845540/6 "2019-12-29T10:40:21Z")
> [@galen\_ubal](#): > > Nope. He’s not the one on trial, Trump is. > [@galen\_ubal](#): > > Because it’s a bullshit distraction tactic. The Bidens are not on trial, Trump is. I’m not asking about Trump, I’m asking about Biden. Suppose he’s called before the Senate to give testimony. He may think it’s a waste of time or a distraction, but that’s not his call to make, it’s the Senate’s. Why should he resist a call from his government to testify when, if he’s done nothing wrong, his testimony won’t hurt him at all? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-joe-biden-testify-during-the-impeachment-hearings/845540/7 "2019-12-29T10:46:50Z")
> [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > I’m not asking about Trump, I’m asking about Biden. Suppose he’s called before the Senate to give testimony. He may think it’s a waste of time or a distraction, but that’s not his call to make, it’s the Senate’s. Why should he resist a call from his government to testify when, if he’s done nothing wrong, his testimony won’t hurt him at all? There’s no good-faith reason for the Senate to call him. ---
**Author:** ![Wrenching\_Spanners](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecb155/32.png) [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-joe-biden-testify-during-the-impeachment-hearings/845540/8 "2019-12-29T10:54:31Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > There’s no good-faith reason for the Senate to call him. So Biden get’s to decide that, and determine at the same time that his judgement override’s that of the Senate? I’m pretty sure that’s not an option available to witnesses at most other trials. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-joe-biden-testify-during-the-impeachment-hearings/845540/9 "2019-12-29T10:55:15Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > There’s no good-faith reason for the Senate to call him. Good faith arguments seem to be in short supply amongst the right wing these days -whether it’s the politicians, or their supporters. This is a trial of Trump. The Bidens have nothing to do with the charges. That’s all there is to it. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-joe-biden-testify-during-the-impeachment-hearings/845540/10 "2019-12-29T11:29:53Z")
> [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > But if both Joe Biden and Hunter Biden have done nothing wrong, then Joe Biden’s testimony will establish that, correct? Which will make Trump’s attempt to have the Bidens investigated by Ukrainian authorities look even more foolish and corrupt. > > If the Biden’s have nothing to hide, then Joe’s testimony will be a bland side part of the Senate trial. Why should Joe Biden resist providing honest innocent answers to senators if it’s not going to do him any harm and may actually make Trump look worse? No, it will turn this into a trial of Joe Biden instead of a trial of Donald Trump, which is what the Republican strategy has been all along. **This strategy is what led to the current political crisis in the first place,** with Donald Trump’s administration trying to use federal taxpayer money as political leverage to force Ukraine’s government to announce that Biden was under investigation in Ukraine. Biden knows that he wouldn’t be helping himself by testifying; he would simply be validating a strategy that everyone other than the most partisan conservatives realize is an attempt to present an alternative reality to the public. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-joe-biden-testify-during-the-impeachment-hearings/845540/11 "2019-12-29T11:31:27Z")
> [@galen\_ubal](#): > > Good faith arguments seem to be in short supply amongst the right wing these days -whether it’s the politicians, or their supporters. > > This is a trial of Trump. The Bidens have nothing to do with the charges. That’s all there is to it. This is exactly how Democrats should respond. Just, no. We’re not playing that game. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-joe-biden-testify-during-the-impeachment-hearings/845540/12 "2019-12-29T11:53:35Z")
> [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > So Biden get’s to decide that, and determine at the same time that his judgement override’s that of the Senate? I’m pretty sure that’s not an option available to witnesses at most other trials. Let me put it this way. Loser Donald has been impeached on two charges; 1. That he attempted to solicit the government of Ukraine to interfere in the 2020 election on his behalf 2. That he misused the powers of the presidency to obstruct Congress’ investigation of the first charge For what reason should Joe Biden be called to testify as to the facts of either of these charges? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-joe-biden-testify-during-the-impeachment-hearings/845540/13 "2019-12-29T12:03:08Z")
> [@galen\_ubal](#): > > Nope. He’s not the one on trial, Trump is. Yes, Trump is on trial. That’s the point. In order to divert attention from Trump his cronies want to turn Trump’s trial into a trial of Biden. Please, follow the breadcrumbs. If it helps I’ll use breadslices or entire loaves. The ONLY reason to call Biden is to divert attention from Trump’s wrong-doings. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-joe-biden-testify-during-the-impeachment-hearings/845540/14 "2019-12-29T12:08:33Z")
> [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > I’m not asking about Trump, I’m asking about Biden. Yes. You’re asking about Trump. The answer is that calling Biden before the senate is a tactic to distract from Trump’s wrongdoing. Just because you don’t like the answer you’re getting does not invalidate the answer. > [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > Suppose he’s called before the Senate to give testimony. He may think it’s a waste of time or a distraction, but that’s not his call to make, it’s the Senate’s. Why should he resist a call from his government to testify when, if he’s done nothing wrong, his testimony won’t hurt him at all? The hell his testimony won’t hurt him. The mere fact he showed up to testify will be used against him in the election - if he didn’t do anything wrong why would he “need” to testify, hmm? Rather like the sort of people who assume anyone arrested MUST have done something wrong because innocent people don’t get arrested, right? Police never make mistakes, right? Right? That, and the call for him to testify is entirely politically motivated. Turn it around - if Trump has nothing to hide why did he forbid members of his staff from appearing before the House to ask questions? If he has nothing to hide why is he hiding? And YES, IT IS VERY MUCH A DISTRACTION to call Biden to testify. The Republicans will try to turn Trump’s trial into a trial against Biden. If they’re so damn sure Biden (either one) did something wrong why the hell aren’t they taking it to the court system? (Answer: because any competent judge will laugh them out of court). ---
**Author:** ![Wrenching\_Spanners](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecb155/32.png) [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-joe-biden-testify-during-the-impeachment-hearings/845540/15 "2019-12-29T12:12:09Z")
> [@galen\_ubal](#): > > The Bidens have nothing to do with the charges. That’s factually incorrect. Joe Biden’s name is in the impeachment bill. > [@](#): > > President Trump—acting both directly and through his agents within and outside the United States Government—corruptly solicited the Government of Ukraine to publicly announce investigations into— > > (A) a political opponent, former Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.; [https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-resolution/755/text](https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-resolution/755/text) A central question is if Trump’s solicitation was corrupt or legitimate. If Trump’s defence is that the was solicitation legitimate, then showing that Hunter Biden was acting corruptly and that Joe Biden was facilitating his son’s corrupt acts, supports that defence. Of course this hypothetical defence falls apart if there was no corruption on the Bidens’ behalf. So if Joe Biden has nothing to hide, then why wouldn’t he seek to discredit a political opponent by testifying that his reasons that he “corruptly solicited the Government of Ukraine” were rubbish? ---
**Author:** ![Wrenching\_Spanners](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecb155/32.png) [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-joe-biden-testify-during-the-impeachment-hearings/845540/16 "2019-12-29T12:29:39Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Yes. You’re asking about Trump. The answer is that calling Biden before the senate is a tactic to distract from Trump’s wrongdoing. > > Just because you don’t like the answer you’re getting does not invalidate the answer. > The hell his testimony won’t hurt him. > > The mere fact he showed up to testify will be used against him in the election - if he didn’t do anything wrong why would he “need” to testify, hmm? Rather like the sort of people who assume anyone arrested MUST have done something wrong because innocent people don’t get arrested, right? Police never make mistakes, right? Right? > > That, and the call for him to testify is entirely politically motivated. > > Turn it around - if Trump has nothing to hide why did he forbid members of his staff from appearing before the House to ask questions? If he has nothing to hide why is he hiding? > > And YES, IT IS VERY MUCH A DISTRACTION to call Biden to testify. The Republicans will try to turn Trump’s trial into a trial against Biden. If they’re so damn sure Biden (either one) did something wrong why the hell aren’t they taking it to the court system? (Answer: because any competent judge will laugh them out of court). No, I’m asking about Biden. It’s right there in the thread title. Biden, the Democrats, and your assertion is that Biden shouldn’t testify because it will be a distraction. Furthermore, Biden is saying he has nothing to hide. What’s so distracting about Biden saying he did nothing? You think it will hurt his future campaign. I think it will help his campaign **if** Biden is innocent, proclaims his innocence, and answers those questioning his innocence. Of course, that’s a big **if**. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-joe-biden-testify-during-the-impeachment-hearings/845540/17 "2019-12-29T12:36:39Z")
Did Biden ask the President of another country to investigate an American citizen for him? No. Should he be called to testify? No. He had nothing to do with Trump’s un-American activities. Trump did that. Seriously, the childish logic of Republicans in congress is shameful and pathetic. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-joe-biden-testify-during-the-impeachment-hearings/845540/18 "2019-12-29T12:41:29Z")
> [@galen\_ubal](#): > > … The Bidens have nothing to do with the charges. That’s all there is to it. That is 100% correct. > [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > That’s factually incorrect. Joe Biden’s name is in the impeachment bill. > … Is this the “he made me do it” ploy?? “Childish” was right. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-joe-biden-testify-during-the-impeachment-hearings/845540/19 "2019-12-29T12:46:28Z")
Of _course_ Biden shouldn’t be called to testify, because any testimony he could give would be completely irrelevant. But that’s not the question here. Because, of _course_ the Republicans will call him to testify, anyway. The question is, given that the Republicans will call him to testify, what should Biden do? If Biden says “I’m refusing to testify because my testimony is irrelevant”, then every Republican ever called to testify will use that exact same excuse, even though it doesn’t apply to them. What he needs to do is to show up, and then to answer every question with “My testimony is irrelevant to that question”, or “That question is irrelevant to the issue at trial here”. ---
**Author:** ![Wrenching\_Spanners](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecb155/32.png) [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-joe-biden-testify-during-the-impeachment-hearings/845540/20 "2019-12-29T13:37:32Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > That is 100% correct. Is this the “he made me do it” ploy?? “Childish” was right. Let’s look at what you’re disputing: > [@](#): > > Originally Posted by galen ubal View Post > … The Bidens have nothing to do with the charges. That’s all there is to it. > > Originally Posted by Wrenching Spanners View Post > That’s factually incorrect. Joe Biden’s name is in the impeachment bill. You’re saying that Joe Biden has nothing to do with the impeachment charge, even though his name is contained in the impeachment charge. If someone’s name is included in a document, that document has something to do about them. The House bill of impeachment is the document that mentions the solicitation of an investigation into Joe Biden and alleges the solicitation was corrupt. The Senate has every right to further examine that allegation. Beyond that, it will likely come down to how Trump wishes to defend the articles of impeachment. If his defence is that the investigation of Hunter and Joe Biden was a legitimate use of executive power, then it’s appropriate for the Senate to examine that defence. Which means they have a right to call for Biden’s testimony. And again, if he’s called before the Senate and he’s got nothing to hide, why should he resist testifying? Is he afraid that being grilled by mean Republican senators will create bad optics? If he’s got nothing to testify about, then there will be no negative impact to him. Instead, he’ll be able to say that he did the honourable thing and stood up before Congress. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-joe-biden-testify-during-the-impeachment-hearings/845540.md?page=2)