# 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:** 48
**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, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/943 "2024-01-12T18:42:39Z")
That is not a motion. So no motion was made? ---
**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, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/944 "2024-01-12T18:43:57Z")
I’m begging the board: Please do not indulge the nonsense that has already polluted this thread. ---
**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, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/945 "2024-01-12T18:47:08Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > So no motion was made? Watch the video and let us know. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/946 "2024-01-12T18:47:19Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > 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) Much of the argument in the letter is that the subpoena to testify was not valid because the house had not yet voted on an impeachment inquiry (a standard that I believe the republicans set). But now that this has been done, Hunter is willing to testify. > [@](#): > > … You have not explained why you are not interested in transparency and having the American people witness the full and complete testimony of Mr. Biden at a public hearing. If you issue a new proper subpoena, now that there is a duly authorized impeachment inquiry,Mr.Biden will comply for a hearing or deposition.\*33 We will accept such a subpoena on Mr. Biden’s behalf. > > - 33 During the January10,2024, Judiciary Committee markup, Representative Glenn Ivey suggested a procedure for a hybrid process—a public deposition/hearing with alternating rounds of questions for Republicans and Democrats, and with similar rules (e.g.,role of counsel in questioning),as is done in a closed-door deposition. Four Republicans actually voted in committee in support of this process. Perhaps that could be the basis for our discussion. > **[letter-from-a-lowell-to-chairmen-comer-and-jordan-hunter-biden-contempt-subpoenas-january-12-2024.pdf](https://www.justsecurity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/letter-from-a-lowell-to-chairmen-comer-and-jordan-hunter-biden-contempt-subpoenas-january-12-2024.pdf)** > > 289.41 KB ---
**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, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/947 "2024-01-12T18:47:32Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > Watch the video and let us know. Well said! ---
**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, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/948 "2024-01-12T18:48:56Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > 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) Of note therein: > The November 8 and 9, 2023 Subpoenas Are Legally Invalid As Issued Before An Impeachment Resolution > > Rather than accepting Mr. Biden’s offer to voluntarily sit for a public hearing,[5] you are now seeking to have the full House find him in contempt based on subpoenas for a deposition that you issued on November 8 and 9, 2023. I write to make you aware (if you are not already) that your subpoenas were and are legally invalid and cannot form a legal basis to proceed with your misdirected and impermissible contempt resolution. And you two, of all people, should know that is the case. > _Your 2023 Subpoenas Suffer the Same Infirmity as Those You Objected To in 2019_ > > On November 8 and 9, 2023, history repeated itself. You noticed an impeachment deposition a month _before_ an impeachment inquiry vote was held to authorize such a deposition. Astonishingly, the sequence of events was the same as 2019. Almost four years to the day that Speaker Pelosi made her statement authorizing impeachment-based subpoenas before a House resolution authorized them, it was now Speaker Kevin McCarthy who, despite criticizing his predecessor for trying to do the same thing, _did the same thing._ ---
**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, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/949 "2024-01-12T18:53:03Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > Watch the video and let us know. Why? Can’t someone who has seen it just say yes or no? ---
**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 12, 2024, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/950 "2024-01-12T18:54:14Z")
> [@McDeath\_the\_Mad](#): > > What are the chances of the J6 committe declining that offer? I would say there would be **ZERO** chance of the J6 committee not questioning him right there on the spot. There is a bit of a difference though. The J6th committee might have a legitimate interest in having a secret hearing prior to a public hearing, because it’s possible that some aspect of the testimony of a member of Congress might touch on a real national security issue. But Hunter Biden is being questioned about his private business dealings. If any of his business dealings touched on a real national security issue (like President Biden taking bribes from a foreign source), well, those things are already known to the enemies of the United States, and there’s no downside to them being revealed to the people of the Unite States. The only reason to keep it secret is so that the Republicans can lie about what was said, _as they already have in other cases of testifying in front of these committees_. Hunter’s concern is real, and legitimate. The GOP members of the committee? Not so much. ---
**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, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/951 "2024-01-12T19:01:07Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Why? Can’t someone who has seen it just say yes or no? It’s obvious that you’re looking for some parliamentary procedure gotcha. I’m not going to build your straw man for you. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/952 "2024-01-12T19:01:56Z")
How ridiculous. So you can blow off a hearing where you were supposed to testify under oath in private, then just randomly show up at a different one, in public, with no warning and demand that any questions they have be asked right there and then, with no prep. What a joke. And how privileged he must feel to believe that he can set the rules like that and get treatment no one else gets. Hunter’s behaviour is the very definition of contempt. The only reason he showed up at all was to collect footage for his fucking movie. He had a camera crew with him, and the guy making it. He’s using the Committee as a prop for B-Roll. In the meantime, his art dealer admits under oath that Hunter knew most of the people who were buying his paintings (70%), and they were all loyal Democratic donors. One refused to buy his paintings until Joe was elected president, then coughed up big money. The art dealer also says that he knew nothing of the vaunted secrecy agreement that would protect the American people from the sales being used for political influence, he signed no such agreement, and that he got a 40% commission. He said he’s never done art deals like that before. Oh, and Hunter’s ‘sugar daddy’ lawyer Kevin Morris, who has given Hunter millions and is making his hagiography, bought one of Hunter’s paintings for $875,000. He was sitting beside Hunter at the hearing. ---
**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, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/953 "2024-01-12T19:03:43Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > So you can blow off a hearing where you were supposed to testify under oath in private, then just randomly show up at a different one, in public, with no warning and demand that any questions they have be asked right there and then, with no prep. Hunter Biden didn’t demand shit. Everything that follows from this faulty assumption is fatally flawed. ---
**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 12, 2024, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/954 "2024-01-12T19:08:30Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > So you can blow off a hearing where you were supposed to testify under oath in private, then just randomly show up at a different one, in public, with no warning and demand that any questions they have be asked right there and then, with no prep. What a joke. Indeed, good joke, because it bears no relationship to reality. Good absurdist humor. Hunter was asked to testify privately _ **or publicly** _, and did show up previously, as well as stating he was available any time. He made no “demand”, just made himself available for questions _once again_. Really this thread is driving me nuts. The contortions, and pretending / refusing to be aware of basic details, required to claim Hunter is the one acting in bad faith, is astonishing and infuriating. ---
**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, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/955 "2024-01-12T19:15:21Z")
There’s a lot of President Biden hate masquerading as “Rule of law! Who does he think he is!” concern, IMO. If this were Hunter Smith, accused of the same things, nobody would give a shit. His last name just provides an opportunity to manufacture corrupt political bullshit, based on nothing. ---
**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, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/956 "2024-01-12T19:24:55Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > So you can blow off a hearing Per [DOJ\*](https://www.justice.gov/olc/opinion/attempted-exclusion-agency-counsel-congressional-depositions-agency-employees) – _if_ the summons is legally invalid, yes. \*Granted, that page specifically refers to DOJ employees but an invalid summons is an invalid summons. > [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > he can set the rules like that He did not. DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel did, in 2020, when Barr was in charge. > the “subpoena first, impeachment inquiry resolution second” approach taken then and being attempted now was and is improper, and that a legal contempt proceeding could not and cannot be based on that sequence. It is telling that in their 19 pages and 117 footnotes, your committees’ January 10, 2024, contempt reports seeking to provide a _legal basis_ for your actions _never once mention_ the OLC opinion. That opinion states: > > > “The House of Representatives must expressly authorize a committee to conduct > > an impeachment investigation and to use compulsory process in that investigation > > before the committee may compel the production of documents or testimony in > > support of the House’s power of impeachment.”[13] ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/957 "2024-01-12T19:36:54Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > his art dealer admits under oath that Hunter knew most of the people who were buying his paintings (70%) This is a factually incorrect statement. The claim is that Hunter knew > [@](#): > > the identities of the individuals “who purchased roughly 70% of the value of his art,” according to Oversight Republicans. 70% of the value of his art is not 70% of his purchasers. Additionally… > [@](#): > > But that percent, a person familiar with the meeting cautioned, represents approximately three of the 10 buyers who purchased Hunter Biden artwork. Bergès, the individual added, told the committee he did not disclose the identity of any of the buyers to the president’s son, and did not say during the interview that Hunter Biden knew the identity before the sales. > > Instead, the individual said, Bergès indicated Hunter Biden knew the identity of one buyer through public reporting and a second because he saw the artwork at the individual’s house. > **[Gallery owner reveals new details about Hunter Biden art sales](https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2024/01/09/congress/hunter-bidens-art-sales-00134621)** > > Gallerist Georges Bergès met behind closed doors with the House Oversight Committee as part of the GOP’s sweeping impeachment inquiry. But _why_ such confusion? Perhaps it’s because this was done **behind closed doors** , so we are only getting secondhand reports. Maybe if this questioning had been done out in the open, earnest men like @Sam_Stone wouldn’t be making such mistakes. ---
**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 12, 2024, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/958 "2024-01-12T19:45:08Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > The contortions, and pretending / refusing to be aware of basic details, required to claim Hunter is the one acting in bad faith, is astonishing and infuriating. Forget it Jake. It’s Republican-town. ---
**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 12, 2024, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/959 "2024-01-12T20:04:30Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > In the meantime, his art dealer admits under oath that Hunter knew most of the people who were buying his paintings (70%) > [@Moriarty](#): > > This is a factually incorrect statement. Just a gentle reminder of what a person can do under these circumstances: > [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > D’oh! My apologies. I made an incorrect claim, and even if I think it’s incidental to the overall point, it is on me to immediately take responsibility. I’ll try to do better going forward. Thanks for the correction! ---
**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 12, 2024, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/960 "2024-01-12T20:55:40Z")
Do you really expect anyone to believe your uncited claims, about Hunter or anyone else? I certainly don’t. If you expect someone to take your claims seriously, then cite each one. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/961 "2024-01-12T21:04:17Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > In the meantime, his art dealer admits under oath that Hunter knew most of the people who were buying his paintings (70%), and they were all loyal Democratic donors. My god! People who want to buy art done by Hunter Biden are rich people who like Democrats! Next thing you are going to tell me that most of the people who bought Air Jordan’s were basketball fans. ---
**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, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964/962 "2024-01-12T21:09:22Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > If you expect someone to take your claims seriously, then cite each one. While ensuring that each cite actually supports your claims. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964.md?page=47) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hunter-biden-investigation-thread-started-in-2019-hunter-pardoned-on-december-1-2024/840964.md?page=49)