CNN’s Elie Honig Predicts ‘0% Chance’ DOJ Will Prosecute Hunter Biden Contempt Charge: Comer ‘Played Himself Into a Corner’

CNN’s senior legal analyst Elie Honig was blunt about the chances that Hunter Biden would be prosecuted for contempt of Congress: “zero chance.”

While CNN watched the New York City courthouse where former President Donald Trump was expected to show up on Thursday, anchor John Berman used the opportunity to ask Honig about the impeachment inquiry into Biden, specifically Hunter Biden’s role in it. The latest turn in the case presented by chairman of the House Oversight Committee Rep. James Comer (R-KY) was a threat to hold the younger Biden in contempt of Congress if he didn’t agree to testify in a closed-door deposition. However, Biden and his legal team did previously offer to testify publicly, in front of Congress, for everyone to see. Comer rejected that offer of public testimony, even after saying that was totally an option.

Berman asked Honig directly about House Republicans’ chances of finding Hunter Biden guilty of contempt, and “how difficult that might be for them to win.” The short answer is “zero percent” that Hunter Biden is found guilty by the Department of Justice for contempt of Congress when he agreed to testify in public. But Honig provided a play-by-play of just how stupid this move really was:

So James Comer, the House Oversight Committee chair, Republican Party, has really gotten played here. He’s played himself into a corner. Let me explain how. So, James Comer serves a subpoena on Hunter Biden, who’s the focus so far of this investigation, saying, “I want your, we demand your testimony, but behind closed doors, confidentially, not in front of the public.” Hunter Biden and his team, I think, smartly respond, “He’s happy to testify, but in public for everyone to see on camera.” And Representative Comer then responds and says, “No, I don’t want you testifying publicly. I only want you confidentially.” I mean, who’s got something to hide here?

Now Comer saying, “Okay, if you don’t testify privately, I might hold you in contempt.” Now, Representative Comer and the House of Representatives do have the power to hold Hunter Biden in contempt. It will take a majority vote ultimately of the full House. If that happens, then, John, it goes over to DOJ, which will decide whether or not to prosecute the case for contempt. … There is a zero percent chance DOJ will criminally prosecute Hunter Biden or any person for contempt of Congress when that person’s position is, “I’m willing to testify publicly.” That will not happen. So if there’s a contempt finding here, John, it will be symbolic, and that’s all.

Watch the video above via CNN.