CNN anchor Chris Wallace asked his panel if First Son Hunter Biden outsmarted House Republicans by offering to testify at a public hearing — but only a public hearing.
Amid reports of a more aggressive strategy for the embattled younger Biden, his attorney Abbe Lowell offered, in a letter Tuesday, to have Hunter testify provided the hearing is held in public, adding, “A public proceeding would prevent selective leaks, manipulated transcripts, doctored exhibits, or one-sided press statements.”
Journalists Kristen Soltis Anderson, Lulu Garcia-Navarro, Reihan Salam, and Kara Swisher joined Wallace for this week’s edition of CNN’s The Chris Wallace Show on Saturday morning, during which he brought up the move by Hunter.
CHRIS WALLACE: Sometimes the best defense is a good offense. The president’s embattled son, Hunter Biden, taking on House Republicans this week, agreeing to testify on their impeachment inquiry, but only if it’s in public. House Republicans quick to reject the offer, calling for Hunter to testify first in private.
REP. JAMES COMER: No one is above the law. Even if your last name is Biden, our committee will first interview and depose witnesses. We then, of course, would welcome Hunter Biden to testify at a public hearing at a future date.
CHRIS WALLACE: Kara, did Hunter Biden outsmart House Republicans? Saying “Sure I’ll testified — in public.”
KARA SWISHER: Yes, I thought it was brilliant actually, because he’s someone appealing character. People get to see him for the first time rather than the cartoon, and now they have to say, “No, we don’t want to see you.”.
And after all this time, we have to see Hunter Biden and we have to convict him. I think no.
REIHAN SALAM: This is absolutely clownish. So, you know, look, when President Trump was being impeached, there was a deposition first. When you have the January 6th investigations, there is a deposition. First, there is a way that this is done in a thoughtful, responsible, professional way. And this is a stunt. It’s nothing more than (crosstalk)
CHRIS WALLACE: Wait, wait! Because I want to point out that even hard line Republican Senator Josh Hawley, and no one would question his conservative credentials, seem to go along with this idea. Let the guy testify in public. Take a look.
SEN. JOSH HAWLEY: My view is that the American people have a right to see. And also, you know, they should evaluate this for themselves. I mean, if you do this stuff in private, what happens is there’s inevitably bunches of leaks. And then it’s it’s, you know, well, so-and-so said this and so-and-so said that. It’s like, oh, just do it in public and let the public see let open the door so you can report on it.
CHRIS WALLACE: Just opened the doors, Reihan!
REIHAN SALAM: Well, look, congratulations to Senator Hawley for creating an entirely new way that investigations are conducted. That’s great news. But this is an entirely reasonable request of Republicans in Congress. And look, by the way, make it public. That’s fine. He’s going to still come across as a clown and as someone who’s been engaged in some pretty shady practices. That’s fine. But this is a stunt. It’s nothing more.
KARA SWISHER: Yes, and it’s a good stunt. And OMG, I agree with Josh Hawley. I don’t know…
Watch above via CNN’s The Chris Wallace Show.
