# The Hunter Biden Investigation {thread started in 2019}, Hunter Pardoned on December 1, 2024

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964>\
**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:** 44

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/863 "2024-01-11T17:52:48Z")

</div>

> [@Sage\_Rat](#):
>
> I’m unaware of the rule in life that if someone else is bad, I get to be bad, too.

I never made any such claim. The post you quoted was pointing out that by your definition of forthright and dependable, James Comer is not forthright and dependable.

That said, James Comer’s lack of forthrightness is very likely destroy any chance of obtaining a conviction for criminal contempt of congress. He offered an opportunity to publicly testify before he didn’t. He ignored a letter from Hunter Biden’s lawyer Abbe Lowell trying to arrange testimony while simultaneously going on TV to complain that Hunter Biden was ignoring a request engage in such a conversation. And he has lied and misrepresented closed door testimony in this matter and those lies have led to death threats against the witnesses and their families.

Comer is not acting in good faith here and and that is going to be fatal to any criminal contempt referral.

> [@Sage\_Rat](#):
>
> As said, the reporting I saw (which I linked to and quoted - the Hill and Reuters, neither of which is non-mainstream) didn’t go into that detail and made it seem that he disappeared while the subject was being debated.

I linked to video upthread of two times (there are more than two fyi) a democrat suggested taking a vote on questioning Biden right then and there. There was no debate, the request was ignored. And Biden didn’t disappear. He left the room. He didn’t leave the country.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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 11, 2024, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/864 "2024-01-11T17:54:55Z")

</div>

> [@Stratocaster](#):
>
> It was kind of all over the news.

The link says that a Moskowitz, in a period of a few seconds went from saying “Let’s call the witness” to “You refuse to call the witness” without giving anyone a chance to answer.

I’m not seeing a reference to any actual vote, nor vote result.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/865 "2024-01-11T17:56:12Z")

</div>

> [@Sage\_Rat](#):
>
> I’m not seeing a reference to any actual vote, nor vote result.

And you won’t. Because the guy who can call a vote doesn’t actually want a vote or to even discuss the matter. Watch the video.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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 11, 2024, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/866 "2024-01-11T17:58:25Z")

</div>

> [@Lance\_Turbo](#):
>
> I linked to video upthread of two times (there are more than two fyi)

I believe that I replied to the first post that referenced me, since the previous time that I came to the thread. Apologies if there was a second one that already had the link to the video. There’s a limit to any person’s ability to deal with 40 largely equivalent but slightly different posts. At the end of the day, I have to pick one that seems representative and hope that people will accept that I wasn’t able to directly respond to them, and may not have addressed every point that they’d hope to see raised.

As you say, there was no actual vote taken. My understanding is still that debate had begun, MTG was talking, and Biden left without anyone dismissing him nor any vote being taken on whether to call him.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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 11, 2024, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/867 "2024-01-11T17:58:48Z")

</div>

I think you’re missing the point. He asked for a vote and zero Republicans agreed to even hold one.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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 11, 2024, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/868 "2024-01-11T18:05:22Z")

</div>

> [@Stratocaster](#):
>
> He asked for a vote and zero Republicans agreed to even hold one.

You’re free to provide a cite. I’ve now read HuffPost, The Hill, and Reuters and I’m not seeing anything that supports the statement.

Saying things doesn’t make them so. If the committee votes that Hunter is free to go, then he’s free to go. Magically reading the minds of Congress and divining that they’ve done so isn’t the same thing as an actual vote.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/869 "2024-01-11T18:05:33Z")

</div>

> [@Sage\_Rat](#):
>
> My understanding is still that debate had begun, MTG was talking, and Biden left without anyone dismissing him nor any vote being taken on whether to call him.

Debate had not begun. Comer would not even consider debating the matter. And there were several requests not just the two from Moskowitz. At no point did any Republican even mention taking such a vote. Not one. There was not debate.

And Hunter Biden was a person sitting in the public viewing area. He did not require dismissal. Furthermore, he walked into the hallway. There’s nothing about him being in the hallway that would prevent debate or taking a vote. There was no debate on the matter. None.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/870 "2024-01-11T18:07:16Z")

</div>

> [@Sage\_Rat](#):
>
> he won’t because he can rely on daddy to get him out of jail

Is that;  
What we have evidence of Joe Biden doing.  
What Hunter Biden has said.  
Your projection.

> [@Sage\_Rat](#):
>
> Biden left without anyone dismissing him

He hadn’t been ‘missed’ so there was no need for him to _be_ dismissed.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/871 "2024-01-11T18:09:41Z")

</div>

Here’s the whole hearing from start to finish: [Oversight Committee Debates Resolution to Hold Hunter Biden in Contempt of Congress, Part 1 | C-SPAN.org](https://www.c-span.org/video/?532775-1/oversight-committee-debates-resolution-hold-hunter-biden-contempt-congress-part-1)

It’s bonkers to suggest that Hunter disappeared while they were debating whether or not to question him given the video evidence.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/872 "2024-01-11T18:11:21Z")

</div>

Yes, it appears to me that Sage Rat is, for some reason, painting Hunter with the worst possible interpretation of his actions. Suggesting that he wants “Daddy” to save him, or saying that Hunter mooned the committee and said words to the effect of “Later, losers” and strolled out. I get that his appearance was theater, but it wasn’t anything like that.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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 11, 2024, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/873 "2024-01-11T18:21:25Z")

</div>

> [@Sage\_Rat](#):
>
> You’re free to provide a cite. I’ve now read HuffPost, The Hill, and Reuters and I’m not seeing anything that supports the statement.
> 
> Saying things doesn’t make them so. If the committee votes that Hunter is free to go, then he’s free to go. Magically reading the minds of Congress and divining that they’ve done so isn’t the same thing as an actual vote.

I honestly don’t know what you’re looking for. I pointed out that a Democratic Rep (Moskowitz) suggested a vote to question Biden right then. Zero Republicans expressed an interest. There’s no need to make an inference.

Paraphrasing Moskowitz: “Who would like to question Hunter right now? A show of hands, please.” Zero Republicans raised their hands. Biden was present for that entire exchange.

The HuffPost link has a video that covers this, which I provided in response to your request for a cite. I’m done, brother.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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 11, 2024, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/874 "2024-01-11T18:50:31Z")

</div>

> [@Lance\_Turbo](#):
>
> Comer would not even consider debating the matter.

Which matter? To call Hunter to defend his no-show or to call Hunter to respond to his subpoena, in closed session?

If Alex Jones went to the judge, during his sentencing, and said “Okay, I’m ready to go back and do the trial, now, following the rules and providing discovery”. The judge is not going to do that. Jones had his moment, and he didn’t do it. The only question on the table is whether Jones is willing to do what’s required during the sentencing portion of the legal process.

Hunter was called to defend his no-show. He was not dismissed. Moskowitz is not, to my knowledge, the authority on what James Comer is going to do, and when he’s going to do it. Him saying that Comer isn’t going to do a thing isn’t any amount of evidence that Comer will not do that thing.

He might not have called Hunter. That’s up to him. Supposing that he wouldn’t do it is not the same thing as him factually not doing it.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/875 "2024-01-11T18:57:17Z")

</div>

> [@Sage\_Rat](#):
>
> Hunter was called to defend his no-show.

False.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/876 "2024-01-11T18:57:44Z")

</div>

> [@Sage\_Rat](#):
>
> Hunter was called to defend his no-show.

Hunter was not called by the committee yesterday in any way, shape, or form. He crashed the Oversight Committee meeting of his own volition to make them look like fools, not because he was required by lying liars to be there.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/877 "2024-01-11T18:57:45Z")

</div>

> [@Sage\_Rat](#):
>
> If Alex Jones went to the judge, during his sentencing, and said “Okay, I’m ready to go back and do the trial, now, following the rules and providing discovery”. The judge is not going to do that. Jones had his moment, and he didn’t do it. The only question on the table is whether Jones is willing to do what’s required during the sentencing portion of the legal process.

A court of law is run differently from Congress. Thank goodness.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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 11, 2024, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/878 "2024-01-11T19:05:56Z")

</div>

> [@Lance\_Turbo](#):
>
> > [@Sage\_Rat](#):
> >
> > Hunter was called to defend his no-show.
> 
> False.

So it is. I misread an earlier quote by Moskowitz saying that Comer had invited Hunter as meaning that he’d been invited to defend himself in the contempt hearing.

I suppose, then, that he was free to come and go as he pleases. But that still makes the whole action just thumbing his nose at the law.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/879 "2024-01-11T19:08:34Z")

</div>

This thread is an excellent example of how we can all observe the same event and walk away with radically different interpretations.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/880 "2024-01-11T19:10:15Z")

</div>

> [@Atamasama](#):
>
> A court of law is run differently from Congress. Thank goodness.

Indeed. If a prosecutor in a court case were to treat a potential witness the way Hunter has been treated by the GOP members of this committee, they’d probably be censured by the judge.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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 11, 2024, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/881 "2024-01-11T19:13:32Z")

</div>

IANAL, but I’m pretty sure the law doesn’t support frivolous or bad-faith subpoenas. If this is true, then Hunter is not acting unlawfully.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/882 "2024-01-11T19:20:55Z")

</div>

> [@Odesio](#):
>
> This thread is an excellent example of how we can all observe the same event and walk away with radically different interpretations.

I don’t think it is.  
Look how many posts it took for @Sage_Rat to concede that Hunter was present when Moskowitz asked for a show of hands; this was something trivial to google or observe from watching a few minutes of the proceedings.

So I don’t think we are talking about two sides observing events.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964.md?page=43)

[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964.md?page=45)
