WATCH: Biden repeats exaggerated house fire story he claims almost killed his wife in 2004

Posted on December 11, 2023 by Latest Political News on Fox News

President Biden once again told his often exaggerated story about the time a minor fire occurred at his Delaware home as a result of a lightening strike in 2004 that he says almost claimed first lady Jill Biden's life.

Biden began his speech to a group of firefighters in Philadelphia on Monday with the story that didn't quite go as far as he'd taken it in the past, but still included the claim that his wife's life was in danger despite the fire being "small" and "contained to the kitchen."

"They also saved my home and my wife's life when I was away. It was the last day that the most famous guy doing ‘Meet the Press’ in Washington, D.C., and I was doing the program. And what happened was there was a lightning struck a little pond behind my house. It hit a wire and came up through the basement of my home and three stories," Biden said of his local fire department.

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"And the smoke literally ended up being that thick, literally that thick. You've seen it. You guys have seen it. I wasn't there. And my wife was there and my dog and my cat and my '67 corvette. But all kidding aside, they saved my wife and got her out. They saved my home," he added.

According to a 2004 report from the Associated Press, lightning struck the Bidens’ home and started a "small fire that was contained to the kitchen." The report said firefighters got the blaze under control in 20 minutes and that they were able to keep the flames from spreading beyond the kitchen.

Despite those details, Biden once told the story in a way that included the house burning down with Jill still in it.

WHITE HOUSE SPURNS BIDEN FAMILY ‘CONSPIRACY THEORIES’ AHEAD OF LIKELY IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY VOTE, HUNTER BIDEN DEPOSITION

Speaking on a New Hampshire bridge in 2021 about his bipartisan infrastructure plan, Biden said, "Without this bridge, as I said earlier, it’s a 10-mile detour just to get to the other side. And I know, having had a house burn down with my wife in it — she got out safely, God willing — that having a significant portion of it burn, I can tell: 10 minutes makes a hell of a difference."

Biden told the story again in August following the deadly Maui wildfires in an attempt to relate to the surviving victims who lost their homes and, in some cases, family members.

"I don’t want to compare difficulties, but we have a little sense, Jill and I, of what it was like to lose a home," Biden said. "Years ago, now, 15 years, I was in Washington doing ‘Meet the press’… Lightning struck at home on a little lake outside the home, not a lake a big pond. It hit the wire and came up underneath our home, into the…air condition ducts.

KEY MCCONNELL ALLY MAKES ENDORSEMENT IN CRUCIAL SWING STATE RACE THAT COULD FLIP SENATE RED

"To make a long story short, I almost lost my wife, my '67 Corvette and my cat," he added.

He was later blasted by critics for making the comparison, with some calling it "disgusting," and "self-centered."

The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Fox News' Jessica Chasmar and Greg Whener contributed to this report.

WH spurns Biden family ‘conspiracy theories’ ahead of likely impeachment inquiry vote, Hunter Biden deposition

Posted on December 11, 2023 by Latest Political News on Fox News

The White House refused to answer questions on Monday regarding what it claimed were "conspiracy theories" of corruption within the Biden family.

The refusal came as deputy press secretary Andrew Bates spoke with reporters aboard Air Force One ahead of a likely House vote this week to launch a formal impeachment inquiry against President Biden and the possible appearance of his son, Hunter, for a deposition before the House Oversight and Judiciary Committees on Wednesday.

"I am not going to weigh in on that process except to say that President Biden is laser focused on the issues that matter most to American families," Bates said. "You see him today getting ready to deliver for firefighters in Philadelphia. Like I mentioned, we're making an historic announcement in advanced manufacturing to keep bringing jobs back from overseas."

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"He's focused on what matters to American families, not Marjorie Taylor Greene's conspiracy theories about his own family," he added, referencing Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., a supporter of impeaching Biden and member of the GOP often targeted by Democrats for political attacks.

House Republicans hope to hold the formal vote on whether to officially launch the inquiry this week, but are facing opposition from Democrats and some members within their own party. However, GOP opposition to the inquiry has been shrinking as those members representing districts Biden won in 2020 have begun to back the move.

This includes Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., who told Politico he was switching from opposing the inquiry to supporting it because of the increased likelihood Biden would cooperate.

DEAN PHILLIPS CALLS BIDEN POSSIBLY ‘UNELECTABLE’ IN 2024 AFTER GOP IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY

"The president is saying he isn’t going to provide information until we get an inquiry, so I went from a no to a yes," he told the outlet.

Oversight Committee Chair Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., has spearheaded the sprawling investigation into Biden, which has focused on Hunter, his various foreign business dealings, and the money he got from them. The committee hosted an impeachment inquiry hearing in September as part of that probe.

The White House has repeatedly said that Biden did nothing wrong and had no knowledge of his son's business dealings.

KEY MCCONNELL ALLY MAKES ENDORSEMENT IN CRUCIAL SWING STATE RACE THAT COULD FLIP SENATE RED

Additionally, the Oversight and Judiciary Committees posted an official notice last week for Hunter’s closed-door deposition on Wednesday, despite the president’s son so far refusing to comply with the subpoena to testify behind closed doors.

Hunter's attorney notified Comer and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, last week that the president's son would only appear for testimony before the committee in a public setting.

Comer and Jordan subsequently threatened to hold him in contempt of Congress if he does not appear for his deposition.

Fox News Thomas Catenacci, Brooke Singman and Chad Pergram contributed to this report.

House Oversight Democrat quietly meeting with GOP lawmakers in effort to quash impeachment inquiry: Sources

Posted on December 11, 2023 by Latest Political News on Fox News

EXCLUSIVE: The top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee has been informally meeting with Republicans behind closed doors in an effort to persuade them to abandon the impeachment effort against President Biden, as GOP lawmakers prepare to vote to formalize the inquiry, Fox News Digital has learned.

Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, D-Md., has been quietly discussing impeachment with House Republicans with whom he has close relationships, multiple sources with direct knowledge of the conversations told Fox News Digital.

CONGRESS AIMS TO HOLD VOTE TO INITIATE BIDEN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY

Sources said Raskin has been meeting with "right-wing to more moderate members" in an effort to counter GOP arguments, investigative steps, and evidence collected throughout the investigation.

Those sources told Fox News Digital that some Republicans, in recent days, have been "especially receptive to seeing the Administration’s record of cooperation with investigators."

Meanwhile, Fox News Digital has obtained "fact sheets" House Oversight Democrats plan to share with both Democrats and Republicans to support their efforts to quash the impeachment inquiry.

HUNTER BIDEN'S EX-BUSINESS ASSOCIATE TONY BOBULINSKI DEMANDS BIDEN 'STOP LYING' ABOUT 2017 MEETING

"These fact sheets are a hat in hand, fact-based appeal to House Republicans," a senior House Democratic aide told Fox News Digital. "Republicans may not be getting all of the facts from Mr. Comer, so we are making sure that they have the full picture as they decide whether to endorse this impeachment effort."

One memo, obtained by Fox News Digital, is focused on obstruction in an effort to defend the Biden administration, as well as banks and private citizens, for providing "extraordinary cooperation" with the committee’s investigation into the Biden family’s business dealings and whether President Biden, himself, was involved.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES TO HAND OVER 62,000 BIDEN RECORDS TO HOUSE GOP, INCLUDING EMAILS USING ALIASES

Another memo defends the firing of Ukrainian prosecutor Viktor Shokin. Joe Biden, as vice president, boasted that he successfully pressured Ukraine to fire Shokin. The then-vice president threatened to withhold $1 billion of critical U.S. aid if Shokin was not fired.

Shokin, at the time, was investigating Burisma Holdings — a Ukrainian natural gas firm where Hunter Biden sat on the board and collected highly-lucrative monthly payments.

But Democrats on the committee echoed past statements from the White House and the president, that Shokin’s firing was actually the "culmination of a years-long effort by a bipartisan, international coalition to address and root out corruption in Ukraine."

EXCLUSIVE: JOE BIDEN ALLEGEDLY PAID $5M BY BURISMA EXECUTIVE AS PART OF A BRIBERY SCHEME, ACCORDING TO FBI DOCUMENT

Republicans, as part of the impeachment inquiry, have been investigating an FBI-generated FD-1023 form, which alleged a bribery scheme between Joe Biden, Hunter Biden and Burisma CEO Mykola Zlochevsky.

That FD-1023 — a confidential human source (CHS) reporting document — reflects the FBI's interview with a "highly credible" confidential source who detailed multiple meetings and conversations he or she had with a top executive of Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma Holdings over the course of several years starting in 2015.

The document includes allegations from Zlochevsky that he was "coerced" into paying Joe Biden and Hunter Biden millions of dollars to get Shokin fired.

BIDENS ALLEGEDLY 'COERCED' BURISMA CEO TO PAY THEM MILLIONS TO HELP GET UKRAINE PROSECUTOR FIRED: FBI FORM

That document has been passed to Special Counsel David Weiss, who has been investigating Hunter Biden since 2018. When tapped as special counsel in August, Attorney General Merrick Garland expanded Weiss's scope to include any other issues that have come up, or may come up, related to that investigation.

But House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., told Fox News Digital it is "ironic Democrats continue to say there is no evidence and then at every turn seek to prevent the Oversight Committee from gathering evidence."

"Despite Democrats' best efforts, the House Oversight Committee has produced evidence revealing Joe Biden knew about, participated in, and benefited from his family cashing in on the Biden last name," Comer told Fox News Digital. "We will continue to follow the facts and hold this president accountable for his corruption."

Meanwhile, the Democrats also prepared a memo focused on the funds Joe Biden received from his brother, James Biden, in 2017 and 2018. Both checks, one for $200,000 and one for $40,000, were both labeled as a "loan repayment" in the memo section.

JOE BIDEN RECEIVED $40K IN 'LAUNDERED CHINA MONEY' FROM BROTHER IN 2017, COMER SAYS

Democrats stress that Joe Biden, as a private citizen, did, in fact, make "short-term, interest-free loans to his brother, James, who later repaid him."

But House Oversight Republicans are demanding documentation from the White House to prove that there were, in fact, loans, to be repaid.

Republicans have also pointed to the timing of those payments to Biden—specifically the 2018 $40,000 check—as it came just days after James Biden was wired funds from Hunter Biden, after he received a $5 million wire from a Chinese energy company. Republicans say this is an example of how Joe Biden benefited from his family’s foreign business dealings.

BIDEN WAS IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH HUNTER’S BUSINESS PARTNERS USING EMAIL ALIAS AS VP

Hunter Biden received a $5 million wire from the Chinese company in August 2018 to his bank account, Hudson West III.

Hunter Biden then transferred $400,000 to his Owasco PC account. Funds were then transferred to a business account belonging to James Biden and later transferred to a personal account belonging to James Biden and Sara Biden.

Comer claims they used those funds to then cut a check to Joe Biden for $40,000. That check was labeled as a "loan repayment."

DOJ DEVIATED FROM 'STANDARD PROCESSES,' GAVE HUNTER BIDEN 'SPECIAL TREATMENT' IN PROBE, HOUSE GOP REPORT SAYS

President Biden has maintained that he was never in business with his son, and never discussed his son's foreign business dealings.

Fox News Digital first reported last week metadata revealing that Biden communicated with his son and his son's business partner Eric Schwerin hundreds of times using an email alias while serving as vice president. Schwerin, though, at the time, served as Biden's bookkeeper.

Biden, last week, from the White House, said: "I did not, they’re lies. It’s a bunch of lies."

Raskin's efforts come ahead of a House Rules Committee meeting Tuesday, where lawmakers will consider a resolution to formalize the impeachment inquiry framework against President Biden.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky.; House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio; and House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., are leading the impeachment inquiry against President Biden.

The chairmen are investigating any foreign money received by the Biden family, whether President Biden was involved in his family’s foreign business dealings, and steps allegedly taken by the Biden administration to "slow, hamper, or otherwise impede the criminal investigation into the President’s son, Hunter Biden, which involves funds received by the Biden family from foreign sources."

Top White House aide worked at law firm heavily involved with corporate entities tied to Hunter, Biden family

Posted on December 11, 2023 by Latest Political News on Fox News

A White House aide who has held multiple positions in the Biden administration, including White House deputy staff secretary, previously spent nearly two decades at a Delaware law firm that was heavily involved with corporate entities tied to Hunter Biden, his business associates, and other Biden family members.

Michael Hochman, a top lawyer for more than 17 years at Monzack Mersky McLaughlin and Browder, originally co-founded by Biden in 1970 before he started his Senate career, is currently serving in his third Biden White House position, his LinkedIn profile shows.

Between January 2021 and June 2022, Hochman served as the White House deputy staff secretary before joining the White House’s recently created Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD), which advises Biden on cybersecurity policy and strategy. Hochman started out as the deputy general counsel and deputy chief of staff before being promoted to chief of staff last November.

In a recent profile piece, Hochman described his role as having "an enterprise-wide view of the work of the office" and said it’s "like working for a start-up" with the "long hours and all the challenges that come from building something new."

SPECIAL COUNSEL HITS BACK AT HUNTER BIDEN REQUESTING TRUMP, BARR SUBPOENAS

Hochman’s jump to the Biden White House will likely raise questions from Republicans as the House Oversight Committee dives into his past work at the law firm and communications with Hunter Biden as they continue investigating his foreign business dealings. A Fox News Digital review found several emails between Hochman and Hunter during the Obama-Biden administration, in addition to nearly a dozen Biden-linked corporate entities that were registered through the law firm where Hochman spent most of his career.

The review found that Monzack Mersky McLaughlin and Browder has served as the registered agent for Owasco LLC, Rosemont Seneca Advisors, and Robinson Walker LLC, which is owned by Hunter's former business partner Rob Walker. Fox News Digital previously reported that members of the Biden family received more than $1 million in payments from accounts related to Walker's LLC and their Chinese business ventures involving CEFC affiliate State Energy HK in 2017.

HUNTER'S EX-BUSINESS ASSOCIATE BLASTS BIDEN'S NEW CLAIM ABOUT SON'S BUSINESS DEALINGS: 'COMPLETE MALARKEY'

Multiple Biden family accounts, including those belonging to Hunter, Hallie Biden and an unnamed Biden, also received approximately $1.038 million from the same Walker LLC account after Bladon Enterprises, which reportedly belonged to Gabriel "Puiu" Popoviciu, a Romanian tycoon, deposited over $3 million between November 2015 to May 2017. According to a 2017 email from Walker, which was obtained by the Senate Finance Committee, Walker viewed himself as a "surrogate" for Hunter and his uncle, Jim Biden, when "gauging [business] opportunities."

Owasco LLC and Rosemont Seneca Advisors are directly tied to Hunter and were also incorporated by Hochman's former firm. A 2016 email from Hunter's longtime business partner, Eric Schwerin, reveals that Owasco was set up to "hold Hunter’s investment interests in a variety of work related entities. Owasco, LLC owns a 100% interest in Rosemont Seneca Technology Partners (RSTP) I, RSTP II Alpha and RSTP II Bravo. Owasco, LLC also owns 75% of Skaneateles, LLC and via Skaneateles, LLC and its subsidiaries…"

In 2017, Joe and Jill Biden used Monzack Mersky and Browder as the registered agent to set up two S-corporations, Celticcapri Corp. and Giacoppa Corp., the business entities used "to receive [millions of dollars in] royalties from their writing and speaking engagements."

The law firm was also a registered agent for multiple Biden campaign committees, the Beau Biden Foundation, Livelihood, an apparel company founded by Hunter's sister, Ashley Biden, and JBB SR., INC., which is associated with Biden's brother, James Biden. JBB is one of the entities that the House Oversight Committee is investigating after they discovered that it received hundreds of thousands of dollars from Walker's LLC.

"I have said for months that the Bidens’ corrupt influence peddling scheme will go down as the greatest political scandal of our lifetime, and likely in the history of the country," House GOP Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York told Fox News Digital. "Joe Biden is compromised. House Republicans are committed to delivering the transparency and accountability that the American people demand and deserve from their elected officials and public servants."

DEFIANT HUNTER BIDEN SAYS REPUBLICAN 'MOTHERF---ERS' ARE 'TRYING TO KILL ME'

Stefanik's comment comes as House Republicans appear primed to officially move forward with an impeachment inquiry against Biden for alleged corruption charges as early as this week, which could spark an impeachment vote in the House early next year.

Hunter's ties to Hochman extend to email communications throughout the Obama administration, in addition to Hochman visiting Biden's vice presidential residence multiple times for holiday parties.

In May 2014, Hochman emailed Hunter and said he was running with Beau Biden, Hunter’s now-deceased brother and a college roommate, longtime friend of Hochman’s, and that Burisma was "briefly" discussed.

"Went running with Beau yesterday and we were talking briefly about Burisma. Good news. I’m pretty familiar with this industry (at least domestically) – my father-in-law is heavily involved in the Marcellus shale gas play in Pennsylvania – the largest source of natural gas in the United States," Hochman said. "He is extremely knowledgeable and well-connected in those parts. He’d love to discuss with you; would you be willing to talk with him? Also, a good excuse for me to come down and see you guys in DC. Let me know."

It is unclear whether Hunter took Hochman up on the offer to chat with Hochman’s father-in-law. Fox News Digital reached out to Hochman's father-in-law for comment but did not receive a response.

COMER, JORDAN DEMAND HUNTER BIDEN APPEAR FOR DEPOSITION, SAY HE WILL NOT RECEIVE 'SPECIAL TREATMENT'

Another email from early 2014 shows Hochman pitching Hunter a new client, whom he describes as a "good friend of the family’s, and a client of MMMB," referring to his law firm.

"Eugene Amobi is the principal member of Tech International Corp., a good friend of the family’s, and a client of MMMB. He is a retired DuPont engineer with two sons who attended Tower Hill (Chux) and Friends (E.J.), both of whom live in Delaware," Hochman wrote.

"He is looking for assistance navigating the federal, local, and international systems for growth opportunities in the company’s engineering, IT, and project/construction management areas of expertise," he continued. "I believe Tech International also qualifies for certification as a minority-owned business, which may be an incentive for certain projects. If you think your firm can help, I would be happy to introduce you to Eugene."

Hunter forwarded the email and asked Schwerin to "take a look and lets get back to him." Schwerin said he "talked to Michael on Friday and he's arranging a meeting/call between us and the CEO." Hunter’s calendar in April 2014 shows he and Schwerin were meeting with Hochman and Amobi at the Rosemont Seneca Partners office on April 7.

At one point, Schwerin had a role in handling then-Vice President Biden's finances as a "bookkeeper" and a person familiar with their relationship told Fox News Digital that Schwerin previously worked on Biden's personal budget and helped coordinate with his tax preparers.

Another email chain shows Hochman provided legal services in 2015 to Hunter and Schwerin for Rosemont Seneca Technology Partners and RSTP II LLC, which was owned by Owasco LLC at the time.

JOE BIDEN NOMINATES FORMER HUNTER BIDEN LAW FIRM COLLEAGUE AS SPECIAL COUNSEL

Hochman's law firm was intimately involved in setting up RSTP II LLC and in a 2014 email chain he discussed the inner workings with Schwerin.

"Per Devon’s instructions I made one edit to the document," Hochman wrote to Schwerin, referring to former Hunter Biden business partner Devon Archer. "It now divides his 40% of RSTP II up to 20% Archer, 15% Rob and 5% Heinz."

"In addition, we are going to ask for the payment to be $250,000 with $50K payable now and the rest in $50,000 quarterly installments due beginning on January 1, 2016. I made those changes and had Hunter sign for RSP and Skaneateles. We also sent the attached to Devon for his signature so we could send to those guys showing that 45% of the partnership is in agreement with this."

The two go back and forth via email discussing payments and ownership of that LLC.

Emails from Hunter Biden's laptop in 2015 also show Hochman directly involved in establishing the Joseph R. "Beau" Biden III Children’s Educational Trust Fund and discussing financial commitments to the fund.

Hochman wasn't the only partner at the law firm with close ties to the Bidens. Melvyn Monzack, who co-founded the firm and has been a longtime friend of the Biden family, has been a confidante and personal attorney for Biden dating back decades.

A Fox News Digital review found that Monzack has donated thousands of dollars to Biden's presidential campaigns, served as Biden’s treasurer during his 2002 Senate reelection and failed 2008 presidential run, which led to Biden for President, Inc. and Monzack, in his official capacity as treasurer, to be fined $50K for failing to keep records to show that over $1M in campaign donations that exceeded federal limits was returned to donors.

Monzack was also instrumental in facilitating the agreement between the Bidens and the University of Delaware for Biden’s "Senate papers," which Biden has refused to release, despite previously touting the importance of the papers during remarks.

A 2010 email chain from Hunter's laptop shows that Monzack and another partner at his firm were also involved in behind-the-scenes discussions regarding Paradigm Global Advisors, a hedge fund acquisition led by James and Hunter Biden, which ultimately fell through, leading to litigation. According to a 2019 Politico profile piece that quoted an anonymous executive at Paradigm, Biden's brother said, "Don’t worry about investors…We've got people all around the world who want to invest in Joe Biden."

BIDEN'S MISHANDLING OF DOCUMENTS, HIS FAMILY'S BUSINESS SCHEMES THREATEN OUR NATIONAL SECURITY

The revelation that Congress may soon consider the impeachment of the president comes shortly after House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., released subpoenaed bank records showing an entity owned by Biden's son, Hunter Biden, had made "direct monthly payments to Joe Biden."

"This wasn’t a payment from Hunter Biden’s personal account but an account for his corporation that received payments from China and other shady corners of the world," Comer said in a video message last week.

President Biden has been widely criticized for issuing inconsistent and inaccurate defenses of his son's business dealings over the last few years and recently dismissed a question of why he conversed with several of Hunter's business partners as "just a bunch of lies."

"They're lies. I did not. They're lies."

Recent polling from The Associated Press found that nearly 70% of Americans, including 40% of Democrats, believe Biden acted unethically or illegally when it came to his family's business interests.

Hunter faced another indictment late last week in California, which includes nine charges alleging a "four-year scheme" when he did not pay his federal income taxes from January 2017 to October 2020 while also filing false tax reports. The charges break down to three felonies and six misdemeanors centered around $1.4 million in owed taxes that have since been paid.

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House, Hochman, Monzack, and Hunter's attorney, but did not receive a response.

Fox News Digital's Thomas Catenacci, Houston Keene, Jessica Chasmar, Chad Pergram, and Brooke Singman contributed reporting.

Outgoing House lawmakers lament chaos in Congress: ‘A bit of a carnival’

Posted on December 10, 2023 by Latest Political News on Fox News

House lawmakers who are choosing to retire at the end of this term are lamenting the chaos and division that has plagued the chamber for much of this year.

"My main reasons are personal," said Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich., who is leaving at the end of his current term. "I decided when I first [entered office] that I'd stay for a decade, and it'll be 12 years when I leave. But it's hard to deny that the…personal sacrifice we make being away from our families seems less easily justified when we come here and not only is it a bit of a carnival, but we're really not doing any substantive legislating."

This year saw the first time in history that a U.S. speaker of the House was forced out by their own members. The House GOP majority has seen deep divisions that have derailed House votes and seen normally sleepy procedural votes go down in flames.

SPEAKER JOHNSON DRAWS BATTLE LINES AHEAD OF GOVERNMENT SPENDING SHOWDOWN

"I don't mind division. I actually don't mind a small majority. I think it's good. But I have a problem that we're not governing here," Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., told Fox News Digital.

"We just do appeasement and drama and [are] not concerned with serious issues. So we have to figure out how we can better inform the American people to put pressure on this failed institution."

Spartz left the door open to running for the House again in the future, but for now, said she was departing at the end of this term due to several factors.

JOHNSON'S FIRST WEEKS AS SPEAKER MARKED BY GOP INFIGHTING – AND SOME VICTORIES

"I think it's a combination of things, you know, it’s just being exhausted from what is happening here. You know, really, worrying about what’s happening with the country, spending more time with my kids and businesses," she said.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., has served in the House of Representatives since 1996, but he said earlier this year that the current term would be his last.

When asked if the chaos and divisions seen this year had anything to do with his decision, he said, "I think, in this circumstance, I can – on the things I care about most – I can have as much or more impact as a civilian."

Blumenauer told Fox News Digital that this Congress began with obvious fractures within the majority party, and he did not see how those could be resolved.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS ANTICIPATE VOTE TO FORMALIZE BIDEN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY 'SOON'

"It's quite clear the way this Congress started, that there were deep, deep, irreconcilable divisions with my Republican colleagues," he said. "And it doesn't look like it's getting any better."

"It's troubling, but you know, we'll try our best this next year to help move some things."

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

One GOP lawmaker who spoke with Fox News Digital said they anticipated more Republican exits after ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., announced his intention to leave at the end of this year on Wednesday.

"We’re going to lose a lot of experience, you know, and what you get in return sometimes are not really good policymakers. So it's a real challenge," the lawmaker said.

WATCH: Biden ignores reporters when pressed on Hunter’s new indictment

Posted on December 8, 2023 by Latest Political News on Fox News

President Biden ignored reporters Friday while being pressed for the first time on his son Hunter's new indictment on federal tax charges.

The indictment, which was handed down Thursday by DOJ Special Counsel David Weiss in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, includes nine charges alleging a "four-year scheme" when he did not pay his federal income taxes from January 2017 to October 2020 while also filing false tax reports.

"Have you spoken to your son? Have you spoken to Hunter? Any comment on the new charges against your son, Mr. President?" reporters shouted as Biden walked across the White House's South Lawn to Marine One for a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada.

FROM SEX CLUBS TO STRIPPERS: HERE ARE THE 5 MOST SALACIOUS DETAILS FROM THE HUNTER BIDEN INDICTMENT

Biden only waved and continued walking.

Hunter was also peppered with questions Friday while leaving his home in California, including whether he expected to be pardoned by his father.

He also ignored them before getting into a car and leaving.

The charges facing Hunter break down to three felonies and six misdemeanors centered around $1.4 million in owed taxes that were since paid.

Special Counsel David Weiss alleged Hunter "engaged in a four-year scheme to not pay at least $1.4 million in self-assessed federal taxes he owed for tax years 2016 through 2019, from in or about January 2017 through in or about October 15, 2020, and to evade the assessment of taxes for tax year 2018 when he filed false returns in or about February 2020."

HUNTER INDICTMENT A ‘NUCLEAR BOMB FOR THE BIDENS,’ AS JOE SOUNDS LIKE CLINTON DURING LEWINSKY SCANDAL: EXPERTS

Weiss said that, in "furtherance of that scheme," the younger Biden "subverted the payroll and tax withholding process of his own company, Owasco, PC by withdrawing millions" from the company "outside of the payroll and tax withholding process that it was designed to perform."

The special counsel alleged that Hunter "spent millions of dollars on an extravagant lifestyle rather than paying his tax bills," and that in 2018, he "stopped paying his outstanding and overdue taxes for tax year 2015."

Weiss alleged that Hunter "willfully failed to pay his 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 taxes on time, despite having access to funds to pay some or all of these taxes," and that he "willfully failed to file his 2017 and 2018 tax returns on time."

NEW HUNTER BIDEN CHARGES REVEAL WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN LAWYERS GET TOO GREEDY

"[W]hen he did finally file his 2018 returns, included false business deductions in order to evade assessment of taxes to reduce the substantial tax liabilities he faced as of February 2020," Weiss alleged.

Thursday's development comes ahead of an expected vote from House Republican leaders next week on a measure that would formally initiate an impeachment inquiry into President Biden over possible ties to his son's business dealings.

Fox News' Houston Keene contributed to this report.

IRS whistleblowers: Hunter Biden indictment is a ‘complete vindication’ of investigation, allegations

Posted on December 8, 2023 by Latest Political News on Fox News

IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler said the new charges against Hunter Biden are a "complete vindication" of their years-long investigation into the president’s son.

Special Counsel David Weiss charged Biden late Thursday, alleging a "four-year scheme" when the president's son did not pay his federal income taxes from January 2017 to October 2020 while also filing false tax reports. Weiss filed the charges in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

The charges break down to three felonies and six misdemeanors concerning $1.4 million in owed taxes that were since paid.

HERE'S WHAT'S IN HUNTER BIDEN'S NEW CALIFORNIA INDICTMENT

IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler approached Congress earlier this year, alleging that prosecutorial decisions made throughout the federal investigation into the president’s son were impacted by politics.

Reacting to the latest indictment, Shapley and Ziegler said they have been vindicated.

"Eight months ago we did something ordinary people don’t do: we risked our careers and reputations to bring the truth out of the shadows and into the light," Shapley and Ziegler said in a joint-statement. "We were moved solely by our consciences, yet faced continual attacks. Nevertheless, in the face of all odds, we never wavered from what we shared with Congress."

Shapley and Ziegler said the indictment "is a complete vindication of our thorough investigation, and underscores the wide agreement by investigators and prosecutors that the evidence supported charges against Hunter Biden."

"Yet as we have stated, this is much bigger than our investigation or any one individual: it’s about equal treatment of taxpayers under the law," they said.

Shapley, Ziegler and other IRS officials who testified before Congress, including Michael Batdorf, have said they were frustrated that the Justice Department did not charge Hunter Biden for failing to pay federal income tax for 2014 and 2015. They alleged that Weiss had allowed the statute of limitations to expire for tax charges against Hunter Biden from 2014 and 2015 in D.C.

Shapley, who led the IRS portion of the probe, said that Hunter Biden should have been charged with tax evasion for 2014, and for filing false tax returns for 2018 and 2019. With regard to the 2014 tax returns, Shapley said that Hunter Biden did not report income from Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma Holdings.

HUNTER BIDEN FACES NEW INDICTMENT IN CALIFORNIA

Fox News Digital first reported in December 2020 that Hunter Biden did not report "approximately $400,000" in income he collected from his position on the board of Burisma Holdings when he joined in 2014.

But Special Counsel David Weiss, during his testimony before the House Judiciary Committee last month, seemingly hinted that tax charges could be coming.

Weiss testified that the statute of limitations did, in fact, expire on the 2014 and 2015 tax years, but he said he could not comment as it "pertains to the ongoing litigation and our outstanding investigation."

"I’m just not at liberty to comment at this time, but there will come a time," Weiss said, adding that he would explain in his eventual report why the statute of limitations was allowed to lapse.

"But even though the statute of limitations has lapsed, and even though charges won’t be filed, if there were to be an outstanding tax prosecution, there is no reason to believe that evidence pertaining to prior years, or witnesses involved in prior years, wouldn’t be part of that litigation," Weiss said.

In the indictment, Weiss alleged that Hunter "engaged in a four-year scheme to not pay at least $1.4 million in self-assessed federal taxes he owed for tax years 2016 through 2019, from in or about January 2017 through in or about October 15, 2020, and to evade the assessment of taxes for tax year 2018 when he filed false returns in or about February 2020."

FROM SEX CLUBS TO STRIPPERS: HERE ARE THE 5 MOST SALACIOUS DETAILS FROM THE HUNTER BIDEN INDICTMENT

Meanwhile, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., who is co-leading the impeachment inquiry against President Biden and who has been investigating the Biden family's foreign business dealings for months, praised Shapley and Ziegler for having "placed their careers on the line to blow the whistle on misconduct and politicization in the Hunter Biden criminal investigation."

"The Department of Justice got caught in its attempt to give Hunter Biden an unprecedented sweetheart plea deal, and today’s charges filed against Hunter Biden are the result of Mr. Shapley and Mr. Ziegler’s efforts to ensure all Americans are treated equally under the law. Every American should applaud these men for their courage to expose the truth," Comer said.

Comer also said that Shapley and Ziegler "revealed investigators were prevented from following evidence that could have led to Joe Biden."

"The House Oversight Committee’s investigation of the Bidens’ influence peddling schemes reveals how Joe Biden knew about, participated in, and benefitted from his family cashing in on the Biden name," Comer said. "In fact, Hunter Biden’s corporate entities implicated by today’s indictments funneled foreign cash that landed in Joe Biden’s bank account."

Comer added: "Unless U.S. Attorney Weiss investigates everyone involved in the Bidens’ fraud schemes and influence peddling, it will be clear President Biden’s DOJ is protecting Hunter Biden and the big guy."

Hunter Biden, in October, pleaded not guilty to federal gun charges brought by Weiss.

Hunter's defense attorney Abbe Lowell attacked Weiss over the Thursday charges, accusing the special counsel of "bowing to Republican pressure" when talking to the press.

"Based on the facts and the law, if Hunter’s last name was anything other than Biden, the charges in Delaware, and now California, would not have been brought," Lowell said in a statement.

Hunter Biden has been subpoenaed to appear for a deposition at the House Oversight Committee. That deposition is scheduled for December 13, but the president's son has not committed to appear before the committee.

Here’s what’s in Hunter Biden’s new California indictment

Posted on December 8, 2023 by Latest Political News on Fox News

President Biden's embattled son Hunter Biden is facing a new set of tax-related charges in California.

Hunter Biden is facing nine charges alleging a "four-year scheme" when he did not pay his federal income taxes from January 2017 to October 2020 while also filing false tax reports.

The charges break down to three felonies and six misdemeanors centered around $1.4 million in owed taxes that were since paid.

HUNTER BIDEN FACES NEW INDICTMENT IN CALIFORNIA

FROM SEX CLUBS TO STRIPPERS: HERE ARE THE 5 MOST SALACIOUS DETAILS FROM THE HUNTER BIDEN INDICTMENT

Counts one, two, four and nine allege that Hunter did not pay his taxes in the years 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Counts three and five allege that Hunter failed to file his taxes in the years 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Count five of the indictment noted that Hunter raked in a "gross income in excess of $2.1 million" and alleged the presidential scion failed to pay his taxes on his millions of dollars of income.

Count six alleges Hunter's "evasion of assessment for 2018 Form 1040" regarding his taxes, while count seven alleges Hunter filed "a false and fraudulent 2018 Form 1040."

The sixth count also alleges Hunter "finally filed his 2018 Form 1040 in 2020 in order to avoid being held in contempt of court in two civil proceedings."

Additionally, count eight alleges Hunter filed "a false and fraudulent 2018 Form 1120."

Hunter pleaded not guilty in October to federal gun charges in U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware after being charged out of Weiss' yearslong investigation.

Hunter's defense attorney Abbe Lowell attacked Weiss over the Thursday charges, accusing the special counsel of "bowing to Republican pressure" when talking to the press.

"Based on the facts and the law, if Hunter’s last name was anything other than Biden, the charges in Delaware, and now California, would not have been brought," Lowell said in a statement.

Fox News Digital's Bradford Betz, Jake Gibson, David Spuntz and The Associated Press contributed reporting.

Hunter Biden’s attorney claims indictments would not have been brought if he was not related to the president

Posted on December 8, 2023 by Latest Political News on Fox News

Hunter Biden's attorney said Thursday that his client would not be facing charges out of Delaware and California if he was not President Biden's son, saying the charges would not be brought if his last name was "anything other than Biden."

Earlier Thursday, Hunter Biden was indicted in California on nine tax charges over $1.4 million in taxes he owed between 2016 and 2019. Special Counsel David Weiss has been using a federal grand jury in Los Angeles to gather evidence of possible criminal tax charges against Hunter Biden.

The charging documents filed in California accuse Hunter Biden of spending money on personal expenses including drugs, luxury hotels and exotic cars. "[I]n short, everything but his taxes," prosecutors wrote.

If convicted, Hunter Biden could face up to 17 years in prison.

HUNTER BIDEN FACES NEW INDICTMENT IN CALIFORNIA

This comes after Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty in October to federal gun charges in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware in connection with Weiss' years-long investigation.

"Based on the facts and the law, if Hunter’s last name was anything other than Biden, the charges in Delaware, and now California, would not have been brought," defense attorney Abbe Lowell said in a statement. "First, U.S. Attorney Weiss bowed to Republican pressure to file unprecedented and unconstitutional gun charges to renege on a non-prosecution resolution. Now, after five years of investigating with no new evidence -- and two years after Hunter paid his taxes in full -- the U.S. Attorney has piled on nine new charges when he had agreed just months ago to resolve this matter with a pair of misdemeanors."

"I wrote U.S. Attorney Weiss days ago seeking a customary meeting to discuss this investigation," he continued. "The response was media leaks today that these charges were being filed. All these issues will now be addressed in various courts, the first to occur this Monday when the prosecutors knew our motions to dismiss their first set of questionable charges would be filed."

Lowell said all of Hunter Biden’s back taxes were paid in full more than two years ago and that he has since been up-to-date with his filings and taxes. Lowell also said his client was suffering from a serious drug addiction during the period of unpaid taxes.

HUNTER'S EX-BUSINESS ASSOCIATE BLASTS BIDEN'S NEW CLAIM ABOUT SON'S BUSINESS DEALINGS

Additionally, Lowell pointed out that millions of Americans fail to file or pay their taxes on time each year and that it is uncommon for someone to be charged for not filing or paying their taxes on time. Lowell said it is especially rare for a person who paid the taxes, interest and penalty afterward to be charged.

Thursday's indictment comes ahead of an expected vote from House Republican leaders next week to formally initiate an impeachment inquiry into President Biden over possible ties to his son's overseas business dealings. The White House has maintained that President Biden had no knowledge of his son's business dealings.

House Republicans have also said they would move to hold Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress if he does not appear for a closed-door deposition on Dec. 13. But Hunter Biden has said he would only testify before the House if it is in public because information from closed-door testimonies is selectively leaked and used to "manipulate, even history, the facts and misinform the American public."

Hunter Biden faces new indictment in California

Posted on December 8, 2023 by Latest Political News on Fox News

President Biden's son Hunter Biden will be indicted in California, Fox News has learned.

While the exact nature of the charges remain unclear, the indictment in the Central District of California was expected later Thursday.

Special Counsel David Weiss has been using a federal grand jury in Los Angeles to gather evidence of possible criminal tax charges against Hunter Biden.

Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty in October to federal gun charges in U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware after being charged out of Weiss' years-long investigation.

HUNTER'S EX-BUSINESS ASSOCIATE BLASTS BIDEN'S NEW CLAIM ABOUT SON'S BUSINESS DEALINGS

Fox News Digital has reached out to Hunter Biden's legal team for comment. A spokesperson for Special Counsel Weiss declined to comment.

Earlier this week, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., released subpoenaed bank records showing an entity owned by Hunter Biden had made "direct monthly payments to Joe Biden."

The White House has repeatedly said that President Biden did nothing wrong and had no knowledge of his son's business dealings.

House Republicans, meanwhile, have warned the younger Biden they would move to hold him in contempt of Congress if he didn't appear for a closed-door deposition on Dec. 13.

Hunter Biden has insisted he would only testify to the House if it's in public because information from closed-door testimonies is selectively leaked and used to "manipulate, even history, the facts and misinform the American public."

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.