Democrat Eric Swalwell accused of ‘aiding and abetting’ a CRIME for helping Hunter Biden set up press conference where he defied subpoena – and faces ethics complaint

By Liam On Dec 13, 2023

Republicans accused Democrat Eric Swalwell of “enabling” Hunter Biden to ignore a congressional subpoena after the president’s son gave a dramatic news conference just yards from where he was scheduled to give private testimony.

Lead impeachment investigators Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., filed contempt charges as soon as Hunter concluded his Capitol Hill press conference and escalated away from the room. he had to testify behind closed doors.

“If it is true that he did this, then he aided and abetted the jurisdiction of this body,” Rep. Darrell Issa, a member of the Judiciary Committee from California, told DailyMail.com.

“He is a member of this committee and he knows about it,” Issa said, calling it “at the very least an ethics violation” that could lead to a formal complaint.

Swalwell, D-Calif., a member of the Judiciary Committee, reserved and organized a public area on the Senate side so Hunter and his lawyers could speak to the press.

Hunter Biden was subpoenaed to testify behind closed doors by impeachment investigators Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and James Comer, R-Ky., chairman of the Oversight Committee.

His news conference occurred on the Senate side because Republicans could theoretically call the sergeant-at-arms to arrest Hunter if he showed up on the House side of the Capitol campus for failing to comply with his subpoena.

Hunter’s lawyers and impeachment leaders are debating whether he should testify publicly or behind closed doors.

Republicans believe Hunter would have been more candid without a camera in his face and the committee’s lawyer would have been given more time to listen to Hunter and his lawyers.

In an open-door setting, each committee member is given five minutes to question Hunter, and many spend that time more focused on speaking out.

“He’s making a public presentation to take advantage of the media and use it in theater to make his points and his story,” Rep. Gary Palmer, chairman of the GOP Political Committee, told DailyMail.com, “instead of going alone with his lawyers and members of the House of Representatives to ask him some very direct questions.”

The testimony is part of an investigation into the extent to which Joe Biden was involved in his son’s shady business dealings.

During the press conference, Hunter acknowledged his “mistakes” but said Republicans weaponized his father’s love during the height of his drug addiction.

“He is a member of this committee and he knows about it,” Issa said, calling it “at the very least an ethics violation” that could lead to a formal complaint.

“I’m here today to admit that I’ve made mistakes in my life,” he told reporters. “I’m also here today to correct the way the MAGA right has portrayed me for political purposes.”

“My father had no financial involvement in my business,” he insisted.

“In the depths of my addiction, I was extremely irresponsible with my finances,” Hunter continued.

Last week, in a nine-count indictment, the Justice Department laid out all the ways Hunter spent the money, including nearly $1 million on prostitutes, instead of paying taxes.

‘(Republicans) have took the light of my father’s love for me and presented it as darkness,” Hunter continued.

Now Republicans say Hunter’s “obstruction” of their investigation has forced them to sue the president’s son to force him to cooperate or face prison time.

“Hunter Biden today ignored a lawful subpoena, and we will now file contempt proceedings against Congress,” Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer and Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan said in a reactionary statement.

“We won’t give special treatment because his last name is Biden.”

If the committee vote finds Hunter guilty of contempt of Congress, his case will be transferred to Biden’s Justice Department. If the Justice Department agrees to prosecute, which is unlikely, he could face up to 12 months in prison or a fine of up to $100,000 if convicted.

Hunter was subpoenaed by Republicans last month along with James Biden, the president’s brother, and Biden family ally Rob Walker. James’ lawyers have contacted the committee and are working to set up a time for him to testify behind closed doors.

Republicans are also expected to vote today to formalize the ongoing impeachment inquiry into Joe.

Most Republicans are hesitant to say they would vote to impeach the president based on evidence they have not yet been given, but the full House clearance intensifies their fight in court over documents and testimony.

“You have to win the debate before you can win the vote,” Issa said. “If we’re going to have a vote, it has to be smart and educated.”