# The Hunter Biden Investigation {thread started in 2019}, Hunter Pardoned on December 1, 2024 **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 28, 2019, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964 "2019-09-28T19:54:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 38
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/743 "2024-01-10T21:14:44Z")
He was there, ready to be questioned. Not too sure what the rest of the post meant, but he was there to be questioned. The fact that they didn’t even have a contingency plan in place shows just how empty the GOP is. Didn’t ONE AIDE even prepare a list of questions just in case HB appeared? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/744 "2024-01-10T21:17:02Z")
But…but _he was there ready to sit for questions!_ His showing up was an open offer _to sit for questions!_ To correct your analogy, **“Pistols at dawn, in public or in private!”** “Okay, pistols at dawn, in the town square where everyone can watch to make sure you don’t have your thugs jump me from behind.” **“No, pistols in a secret field, and afterwards I’ll tell everyone what happened!”** “Um, no.” **You show up in the town square at dawn to call me a coward.** I show up in the town square with my pistols. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/745 "2024-01-10T21:19:28Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > he was there to be questioned. That’s not my understanding of the situation, so perhaps I’m wrong. My understanding is that: 1. He did not respond to his subpoena. He was a no-show and did not answer Congress’ questions. 2. The hearing, today, was about his no-show. It was not the hearing that he had been subpoenaed for. He’s still a no-show for it. 3. He was sitting in the audience, not coming to represent himself in the proceedings about the no-show. 4. He left without answering questions. If that not correct? ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/746 "2024-01-10T21:22:17Z")
He didn’t show up for the initial subpoena, sure. But he was there, and could have been called to answer questions… and the GOP just lost its shit. Sorry, Sage, but for the crowd who routinely ignores their own Congressional subpoenas, I do not find fault with HB showing up to _publicly_ testify to the very same committee that wanted him to privately testify. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/747 "2024-01-10T21:24:42Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > But he was there, and could have been called to answer questions… and the GOP just lost its shit. It sounds like they were preparing to take a vote on whether to call him, when he disappeared: > [@Reuters](#): > > “The witness accepted the chairman’s invitation. It just so happens the witness is here,” Moskowitz said. “Let’s vote. Let’s take a vote. Who wants to hear from Hunter right now, today?” > > The younger Biden left the hearing shortly after. [https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-house-republicans-consider-holding-bidens-son-contempt-congress-2024-01-10/](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-house-republicans-consider-holding-bidens-son-contempt-congress-2024-01-10/) ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/748 "2024-01-10T21:24:55Z")
The key words being “shortly thereafter”. “Shortly”, not “immediately”. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/749 "2024-01-10T21:27:08Z")
If I’m called to court, show up, and then someone starts to say mean things about me before I’m called to the stand, I’m probably going to be held in contempt of court for running out the door with my lawyer. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/750 "2024-01-10T21:27:25Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I don’t think that was settled here with all of the conflicting data and cites. Yes, it was. Every legal expert agrees his plea deal was the norm. Even Legal Eagle. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/751 "2024-01-10T21:27:54Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > That’s not my understanding of the situation, so perhaps I’m wrong. > **[Hunter Biden makes surprise appearance at House contempt hearing](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/01/10/biden-surprise-appearance-contempt-hearing/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzA0ODYyODAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzA2MjQ1MTk5LCJpYXQiOjE3MDQ4NjI4MDAsImp0aSI6ImZiZGI0NThlLWJjODEtNDgwOS04NzlhLWQwZmQ0ZTE5YjU4NSIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9wb2xpdGljcy8yMDI0LzAxLzEwL2JpZGVuLXN1cnByaXNlLWFwcGVhcmFuY2UtY29udGVtcHQtaGVhcmluZy8ifQ.V5D14SxNZNUK6lYDTVm7v8-iRBy1GShSjLKPaTkdNW4&itid=gfta)** > > President’s son also made an unexpected appearance last December to blast House Republicans who have subpoenaed him > [@](#): > > [Biden’s attorney] Lowell told reporters outside the hearing room that his client was willing to testify in a public setting. The president’s son has refused to answer Republican House members’ questions behind closed doors, citing a concern that they would selectively leak his remarks to make him look bad. > … > His attendance at the hearing came one month after he made another surprise appearance, this one outside the Capitol to deliver remarks to reporters about the ongoing Republican attacks on him. > > “For six years, I have been the target of the unrelenting Trump attack machine, shouting, ‘Where’s Hunter?’” he said on Dec. 13. “Well, here’s my answer: I am here.” > … > He responded that he was willing to testify but only in a public setting. Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), the committee chairman, rejected that offer and said the testimony needed to be in private, with a transcript released afterward. It could not possibly be clearer that he was there, ready to testify, as long as the testimony were public. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/752 "2024-01-10T21:29:14Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > It could not possibly be clearer that he was there, ready to testify, as long as the testimony were public. That (last paragraph) is a discussion of the hearing that he’d been subpoenaed for originally, not today’s hearing on his non-compliance. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/753 "2024-01-10T21:30:06Z")
Yes: he’s shown up multiple times ready to testify. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/754 "2024-01-10T21:30:38Z")
If Jim Jordan can evade a Congressional Subpoena for January 6th and get away with it, I’m perfectly fine with HB evading a Congressional Subpoena in his Dick Pic investigation. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/755 "2024-01-10T21:31:00Z")
Then he has testified. Or not? ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/756 "2024-01-10T21:33:00Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > If Jim Jordan can evade a Congressional Subpoena for January 6th and get away with it, I’m perfectly fine with HB evading a Congressional Subpoena in his Dick Pic investigation. Same, but that’s not what was being discussed. Factually, Hunter will only be prosecuted if the DOJ decides to bring the case and if his father decides to not pardon him. While Garland might go ahead with the prosecution, I suspect that Joe would issue a pardon if real jail time was coming into light. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/757 "2024-01-10T21:33:36Z")
Not, because he wanted to testify publicly, and the Republicans refused to allow him to testify publicly. They wanted it behind closed doors (quite obviously so they could twist what he said for their own dishonest purposes). ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/758 "2024-01-10T21:33:38Z")
I don’t think Hunter had any realistic expectation that those dimwits would actually question him. But they could have. That was the obvious message, “While you idiots bloviate over my refusal to be questioned, here I am, ready to be questioned.” There’s no other way, IMO, to interpret his attendance. And it was brilliant. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/759 "2024-01-10T21:33:52Z")
Let’s not forget this: [Comer, before issuing the subpoena, said he would “drop everything” if Biden wanted to testify publicly.](https://cbs4indy.com/hill-politics/mace-spars-with-lawmakers-calls-out-hunter-biden-you-play-stupid-games-you-win-stupid-prizes/) ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/760 "2024-01-10T21:37:25Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Not, because he wanted to testify publicly, and the Republicans refused to allow him to testify publicly. To my knowledge, subpoena targets don’t get to decide that. They can try to negotiate for it but the ultimate decisions comes from the good will of Congress, not on the petulant needs of the target. A witness’s unreasonable demands aren’t evidence of bravery to stand before Congress and answer questions factually. Everyone has a right to claim the 5th, even before Congress. The President and the Democrats in Congress, I’m sure, could figure out how to release the full transcript of the testimony. Hunter has no real excuse. He didn’t answer before, he’s not answering now - even on a smaller topic. He hasn’t displayed bravery. ---
**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:** [January 10, 2024, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/761 "2024-01-10T21:38:04Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > If I’m called to court, show up, and then someone starts to say mean things about me before I’m called to the stand, I’m probably going to be held in contempt of court for running out the door with my lawyer. This is not analogous in any way to what happened today. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/762 "2024-01-10T21:38:39Z")
So he waited to be called to answer questions? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964.md?page=37) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964.md?page=39)