Hunter Biden has bitten back at the probe into his business dealings by asking about a deal between Saudi Arabia and Jared Kushner.
The President's son referred to Saudi Arabian investments secured by Kushner, the son-in-law of former president Donald Trump, multiple media outlets reported.
Hunter Biden was in Congress to answer questions in a behind-closed doors-deposition for the impeachment inquiry into his father on February 28.
He questioned why a deal between Kushner's private equity firm Affinity Partners and Saudi Arabia was not being investigated, but his past foreign business dealings were.
"He drew the distinction between what he has done in a business world with independent businessmen, versus foreign governments, which he did not do any business with — unlike Jared Kushner," Rep. Dan Goldman, a Democrat, said to reporters during a break in proceedings.
Kushner and Saudi Arabia
Kushner, one of Trump's former advisers and husband of Ivanka Trump, developed ties with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his role in the White House and kept the relationship after he left.
Affinity Partners, the private equity firm Kushner set up after he left the Trump administration, reportedly received $2 billion in investment from Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund.
In 2018, journalist and critic of the Saudi regime Jamal Khashoggi was killed in a Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. A month later in November 2018, the CIA concluded that they believed it likely that bin Salman ordered the killing, which he the crown prince has always denied.
Newsweek has approached a spokesperson for Kushner via an email for comment. A press inquiry was also sent to Affinity Partners through an online form.
Kushner has previously defended himself and says the deal did not represent a conflict of interest.
Earlier in February, Kushner asked "Are we really still doing this?" when he was asked at the Axios BFD summit in Miami about Khashoggi's death.
Kushner called bin Salman a "visionary leader" and said Saudi Arabia was "one of the most prestigious investors in the world."
He also said Khashoggi's death was "absolutely horrific," adding: "Our job was to represent America, and to try to push forward things in America."
Hunter Biden deposition
In reaction to Hunter Biden's question, Democrat Jared Moskowitz said according to CNNthat "for the first time, some Republicans in the room said 'No, we have a problem with that.'"
Hunter Biden also said the impeachment inquiry investigation was based on a lack of evidence.
"You do not have evidence," he said in an opening statement provided to Newsweek.
He also said: "For more than a year, your committees have hunted me in your partisan political pursuit of my dad."
No evidence of wrongdoing by the Bidens has been uncovered.
Newsweek has approached the Republican-led House Oversight Committee Chair Rep. James Comer for comment.
Before the testimony, Comer, said: "We're deposing Hunter Biden because he's a key witness in our investigation of Joe Biden."
Comer added: "Our committees have unearthed substantial evidence of President Biden and his family's corruption."
After the hearing, Comer told reporters there were "Some contradictory statements that I think need further review."
After Comer subpoenaed Hunter in November, the president's son agreed to public testimony, which was shot down by House Republicans. Hunter has refused a closed-door meeting, defying his subpoena, until Wednesday.
Comer has also accused key Democrats of playing the "Russia card" over the issue.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Benjamin Lynch is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is U.S. politics and national affairs and he ... Read more
