House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) signaled his determination to continue investigating Hunter Biden, despite President Joe Biden’s recent pardon of his son. Speaking on Thursday’s right-wing Benny Johnson Show, Comer suggested that investigators could bypass the pardon by examining financial records predating the pardon’s scope.
“Do you think that there is a — I mean I know that his dad pardoned him for all of this. But what should happen next from DOJ when it comes to some of these heinous acts of the Bidens?” host Benny Johnson asked, showing images and articles about Hunter Biden’s alleged scandals.
“The sky’s the limit,” Comer replied. “The pardon goes back to 2014. And that—the reason the pardon goes back to 2014 is, that’s when we requested the bank records.”
Comer suggested future investigations could focus on earlier financial dealings. “You’ve been pardoned from 2014 to today. Well, let’s look at 2013, 2012. We know he did stuff then… just didn’t have bank records. We could get that if we want to set an example,” he said.
President Biden’s pardon of his son effectively ended two federal cases against Hunter Biden: one involving alleged tax violations and another related to an illegal gun purchase. The pardon came shortly after President-elect Donald Trump announced his nomination of Kash Patel, a staunch MAGA loyalist known for conspiracy theories, as the next FBI director.
The elder Biden’s decision to pardon his son has drawn sharp criticism from Republicans, who view it as an attempt to shield Hunter Biden from further scrutiny by Trump’s incoming Justice Department. Comer’s comments indicate that the House Oversight Committee plans to work around the pardon by broadening the scope of its inquiries into Hunter Biden’s financial and business dealings.
This move could set up a protracted battle between the Biden family and Republican lawmakers as Trump’s administration takes over, likely escalating partisan tensions. Comer’s remarks also underscore how the pardon has become a flashpoint for Republican efforts to maintain pressure on the president and his family.
With Comer vowing to push forward and a new Justice Department leadership poised to take control, the Hunter Biden investigations are likely far from over, keeping the issue in the political spotlight.