House Subpoenas Hunter and James Biden. Jean-Pierre: 'Zero Evidence of Wrongdoing' (November 8, 2023)

As the White House briefing wrapped up, a reporter brought breaking news. “The House Oversight Committee has issued subpoenas for Hunter Biden, James Biden, and Biden family business associate Rob Walker. Do you have a comment on that?” the reporter asked on Nov. 8, 2023 [1].

“So, look, as you just mentioned, it’s just breaking. So, I don’t have this information in front of me. I’m just hearing from you,” Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, according to the official White House transcript [1].

Then she answered anyway. “This is an investigation that has been going on for a year now and has turned up zero evidence of wrongdoing by the President because there is none,” Jean-Pierre said. “But Republicans continue to double down on a baseless — a baseless smear campaign against the President and his family.” [1]

The video above shows the exchanges at the Nov. 8, 2023, briefing. Quotes are from the official White House transcript, ABC News, the Clerk of the House and GovInfo [1][2][3][4][5].

”Followed the Money”

House Oversight Chairman James Comer saw it differently. “The House Oversight Committee has followed the money and built a record of evidence revealing how Joe Biden knew, was involved, and benefited from his family’s influence peddling schemes,” Comer said in a statement to ABC News [2].

“Now, the House Oversight Committee is going to bring in members of the Biden family and their associates to question them on this record of evidence,” he said [2].

ABC News reported that the committee also asked for transcribed interviews with “both Hunter Biden’s wife, Melissa Cohen, and the widow of Beau Biden, Hallie Biden,” as well as “Tony Bobulinski a former business associate of Hunter Biden.” [2]

“From River to the Sea”

Earlier, a reporter asked about Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich. “And then, last night in a bipartisan vote, the House censured Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib. Does the President believe that that was an appropriate — that her comments justify that action?” [1]

“So, I’m not going to speak to the actions that Congress takes,” Jean-Pierre said. On the phrase Tlaib had used, she said: “It is hurtful to m- — many find it hurtful. And also, many find it antisemitic. And so, obviously, we categorically reject applying the term to this conflict.” [1]

“The President is head of the Democratic Party. Is there a place in the Democratic Party for somebody who uses phrases like that?” a reporter asked. “I don’t have any conversations to read out to you with the congresswoman,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

”Promoting False Narratives”

The House censured Tlaib on Nov. 7, 2023, 234 to 188. The resolution was for “promoting false narratives regarding the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and for calling for the destruction of the State of Israel.” Republicans voted 212 to 4, and 22 Democrats joined them; 184 Democrats voted no [3].

”Not Going to Get Into His Reelection”

A reporter asked about the off-year elections. “What does the President think last night’s election results say about his own chances for reelection, if anything?” [1]

“So, I’m not going to get into his reelection, obviously, from here or anything that’s related to 2024,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

”A Grain of Salt”

Another reporter brought up the exit polls. “Karine, you mentioned the President’s agenda. Were the victories last night — were they more to do with Democrats’ agenda or the President himself? A large number of people in exit polls said that he should not run again.” [1]

“But, then, given those wins, how do you explain the President’s low approval rating and the disconnect there?” a reporter asked later. “I mean, look, I spoke to this yesterday. And what I said is you have to take these polls for a grain — with a grain of salt, right?” Jean-Pierre said. “And so, look, we don’t put much stock in — in polls.” [1]

“Any Chance You Could Invite Her in Here?”

Reporters told Jean-Pierre that Vice President Kamala Harris “was just outside.” “Any chance you could invite her in here so she could take questions from us?” a reporter asked. Asked whether she knew Harris would be out there, Jean-Pierre said: “No, I was not aware of that. I was not aware.” [1]

By the Numbers

234-188: the vote to censure Tlaib [3].
22: Democrats who voted to censure her [3].
3: people subpoenaed, Hunter Biden, James Biden and Rob Walker [1].
Jan. 1, 2014: the start of the period covered by the Biden family pardons [4][5].

What Happened Next

Biden pardoned his son. On Dec. 1, 2024, he granted Hunter Biden “A Full and Unconditional Pardon For those offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024.” [4]

Then he pardoned his brother. “That is why I am exercising my power under the Constitution to pardon James B. Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John T. Owens, and Francis W. Biden,” Biden said in the final minutes of his presidency on Jan. 20, 2025, ABC News reported [5].

Comer said the pardons served as “a confession of their corruption,” ABC News reported [5].

For Jake Sullivan’s one-word answer on the Biden family’s Ukraine dealings, see HYGO News’ page on April 24, 2023. For the White House on Hunter’s art buyer, see the page on July 26, 2023.