'I've made mistakes in my life': Hunter Biden defies subpoena with shock Capitol speech

Hunter Biden defied a congressional subpoena to appear privately for a deposition before Republican investigators who have been digging into his business dealings, insisting outside the US Capitol that he will only testify in public.

In a rare public statement on Wednesday, the Democratic president’s son slammed a GOP subpoena requesting closed-door testimony, saying it could be manipulated.

Speaking outside the Capitol, Biden said: "Republicans do not want an open process where Americans can see their tactics, expose their baseless inquiry, or hear what I have to say What are they afraid of? I am here."

Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, has threatened to charge Biden with contempt of Congress if the First Son doesn't offer his "full cooperation" into an investigation.

For months, Republicans have been pursuing an impeachment inquiry seeking to tie President Joe Biden to his son Hunter’s business dealings. So far, they have failed to uncover evidence directly implicating President Biden in any wrongdoing.

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Reading from a prepared statement, Hunter Biden added: "I'm here today to make sure that the House committee’s illegitimate investigations of my family did not proceed on distortions, manipulated evidence, and lies.

"And I’m here today to acknowledge that I’ve made mistakes in my life, and wasted opportunities and privileges I was afforded."

Questions have arisen about the ethics surrounding the Biden family’s international business, and lawmakers insist their evidence paints a troubling picture of “influence peddling” in their business dealings, particularly with clients overseas.

"There is no evidence to support the allegations that my father was financially involved in my business because it did not happen," Biden Jr added.

Separately, Hunter Biden is facing criminal charges in two states from a special counsel overseeing a long-running investigation. He’s charged with firearm counts in Delaware, alleging he broke laws against drug users having guns in 2018, a period when he has acknowledged struggling with addiction.

Special Counsel David Weiss also filed new charges and nine new tax counts last week, alleging he schemed to avoid paying about $1.4 million in taxes over three years.

The speech came as House Republicans were set to vote to authorize their impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden which would grant them more authority to dish out subpoenas.

The vote is expected after 5pm ET and GOP leaders have said they are confident they have the numbers to officially launch the investigation.

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