# 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:** 47
**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, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/923 "2024-01-11T22:12:38Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > He may, and it may even be more likely than not, hand it off to David Weiss, the special prosecutor on the Hunter Biden case. Sounds reasonable. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/924 "2024-01-11T22:12:49Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > If you’re a regular person, you don’t really have any room to negotiate. You might be able to say that you’ve got a prior commitment of deep personal importance (e.g. holding a big presentation that might get you promoted at work) at a particular time and ask a judge to intervene to give reasonable accommodations. But there’s no real leverage past that. The leverage is _if_ they want his testimony. Rather than wait months or years or never for a criminal contempt complaint to wind it’s way through the process. A committee has huge incentive to get a _willing_ witness to testify, if that testimony is important and useful. If they’re just trying to make someone look bad, no, there’s no leverage. You decide which this is. I know which way I’d vote. ---
**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 11, 2024, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/925 "2024-01-11T22:14:10Z")
This just in: > **[Hunter Biden pleads not guilty to federal tax charges](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67929679)** > > The US president's son is accused of, among other things, tax evasion and filing false tax returns. ---
**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, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/926 "2024-01-11T22:35:37Z")
I mean, pleading guilty looks like it’s not allowed, so there’s not really another choice. ---
**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, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/927 "2024-01-11T22:38:12Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > But there’s no real leverage past that. They reached out in an attempt to cooperate five times before the committee issued a subpoena. That’s a lot considering that Biden is under indictment right now and would be perfectly justified to answer, “Fifth,” to every question. That’s leverage if the committee was actually interested in getting answers to their questions (which they are not). Biden has repeatedly offered to do more than he is required to do before and after being subpoenaed. And that’s why there’s no way he’s going to be convicted of criminal contempt if he is charged. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/928 "2024-01-11T23:15:54Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > The leverage is _if_ they want his testimony. Exactly right. It’s transparently obvious to anyone that the Republicans on this committee are not interested in his testimony. They are interested in getting him in a room alone so they can then come out and blatantly lie about what he said. They are interested in the spin. They are interested in showing pictures of his penis to the public for some unknown reason. They are interested in a circus. To make the allegation that it is _Hunter Biden_ who wanted some kind of “show” is just a gaslighting argument in my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/929 "2024-01-11T23:22:12Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > Biden has repeatedly offered to do more than he is required to do before and after being subpoenaed. Biden doesn’t get to decide when, where, or how he is going to give evidence. He simply has to follow the law and do as the properly issued subpoena orders. He didn’t. His duty to comply with the subpoena doesn’t change because the people issuing it are complete assholes. His duty to comply doesn’t change if other people, including fucknut Jim Jordan, also refused to comply with a subpoena. His duty to comply doesn’t change because it’s inconvenient for him, because he doesn’t want to, or because he only wants to do it in public. If we’re going to insist no-one is above the law when its Trump, we also need to insist Hunter Biden isn’t either. All that being said, the DOJ should only charge him with criminal contempt if there is no reasonable accomodation that can be made to get his testimony, including civil contempt. Someone needs to be the grownup in the room and stand up to the political hacks/pieces of human waste who issued the subpoena and the whiny little political hack who refuses to comply. I’d prefer if it was the DOJ, but if it has to be the judge who gets assigned to the case if it is filed, so be it. The entire thing is like watching 5 year olds whining on the playground. ---
**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 11, 2024, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/930 "2024-01-11T23:27:39Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > They are interested in showing pictures of his penis to the public for some unknown reason. So they can claim, in session, that he has no balls. Maybe the picture was from an unfortunate angle. ---
**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, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/931 "2024-01-11T23:32:52Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > I have read no right wing news on the subject. I’ve read Reuters and the Hill and prior discussion about the laws of Congressional subpoenas. I’m basing it on you repeating right wing talking points, and trying hard to repeatedly characterize Hunter as acting in bad faith, even as your reasons for doing so are one by one shown to be false. > [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > If you believe that Hunter has some form of immunity or other legal right to resist a subpoena, that isn’t whataboutism, then you’re free to propose it. For the quintillionth time; he hasn’t resisted a subpeona. He was subpeonad and the instructions given were that it could be public or private. He chose public, and submitted for questioning, repeatedly. But the other side reneged. Also, as also explained above, it’s not “whataboutism” to talk about how the congressmembers themselves have ignored subpeonas, it’s very relevant to the situation. Whataboutism is when someone ignores the current issue on the table to deflect to some other situation. Here we are saying that the people accusing him of X have done X, much more egregiously, themselves. It’s one situation. > [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > I got a minor detail wrong. I thought that he’d been called to defend himself at a hearing. It’s an objectively minor detail, but it was the whole basis of your argument earlier in the thread. > [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > You’re free to defend the idea that Hunter has some form of immunity against the subpoena that has no nepotistic link. Likewise, you’re free to demonstrate the point where he did, factually, answer questions before Congress. At the moment, I’m strong on those opinions because they seem to be strong. I quoted you claiming things like Hunter expects his dad to get him off any charges (how do you know that, given that his dad has done nothing about the gun or tax charges?). And, falsely, that Hunter had not offered to answer any questions. Those were your strong opinions. Not these two straw men you’ve suddenly summoned. ---
**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 12, 2024, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/932 "2024-01-12T00:29:43Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > Biden doesn’t get to decide when, where, or how he is going to give evidence. No argument from me there. > [@Hamlet](#): > > All that being said, the DOJ should only charge him with criminal contempt if there is no reasonable accomodation that can be made to get his testimony, including civil contempt. This is what I’ve been saying. He defied the subpoena. No doubt. But with all his efforts to cooperate with the committee, both before and after the subpoena, there is no way he’ll be convicted of criminal contempt. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/933 "2024-01-12T01:01:45Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > Biden doesn’t get to decide when, where, or how he is going to give evidence. Hunter Biden, let us make that clear. As yes he does-_No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation._ Yes, he does have to show up for a _lawful_ subpoena. He doesn’t have to give any testimony against himself. This is all political theatre. He agreed to a reasonable and fair plea deal, but the GOP interfered and stopped it. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/934 "2024-01-12T01:45:36Z")
> [@"DrDeth](#): > > Yes, he does have to show up for a _lawful_ subpoena. Are you alleging that it isnt a lawful subpoena? > [@DrDeth](#): > > He doesn’t have to give any testimony against himself. But he does have to invoke that right. Had he showed up to the deposition and took the 5th, we wouldn’t be here. (As an aside, he may well invoke the 5th just to force the idiotic House GOP to grant him immunity. That’d be fun). > [@DrDeth](#): > > This is all political theatre. He agreed to a reasonable and fair plea deal, but the GOP interfered and stopped it. Different thing. That was about his admitted criminal actions. This is about his refusal to comply with the subpoena. (And, as an aside, I completely agree the rejection of the plea deal and the current prosecution are … not good decisions) ---
**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 12, 2024, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/935 "2024-01-12T11:08:47Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > the whiny little political hack who refuses to comply. Who’s the political hack here? From my first reading it sounds like you mean Hunter. He’s not political except by relation to the President. ---
**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 12, 2024, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/936 "2024-01-12T15:14:48Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Who’s the political hack here? Whiny little political hack who refuses to comply with a Congressional subpoena? That must be Jim Jordan. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/937 "2024-01-12T17:43:46Z")
It’s both. Like that floor cleaner/dessert topping. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/938 "2024-01-12T17:46:23Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > 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. Was there an actual motion to call Hunter or no? If not, why not? ---
**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 12, 2024, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/939 "2024-01-12T17:51:02Z")
Hunter’s attorney just sent Comer a letter, eviscerating their actions and blowing up the contempt charge. You can download it here: [https://t.co/8fK5PYihov](https://t.co/8fK5PYihov) ---
**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 12, 2024, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/940 "2024-01-12T17:55:57Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Was there an actual motion to call Hunter or no? If not, why not? Watch the hearing. ---
**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 12, 2024, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/941 "2024-01-12T18:39:39Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > Watch the hearing. Seriously. Enough already. ---
**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 12, 2024, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/942 "2024-01-12T18:40:22Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > > [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > > > Was there an actual motion to call Hunter or no? If not, why not? > > Watch the hearing. Or _pay attention to the thread_. Here, I’ll help: > [@Skywatcher](#): > > “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?” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964.md?page=46) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964.md?page=48)