Incoming GOP chair investigating Biden family businesses won’t subpoena President Biden

The top House Republican poised to investigate the Biden family said Thursday he’s not planning to subpoena President Joe Biden despite being prepared to issue one to his son, Hunter.

“There’s no plans to subpoena Joe Biden. There are plans to subpoena Hunter Biden,” GOP Rep. Jim Comer told CNN in a sit-down interview.

The acknowledgment by Comer, the likely next chairman of the House Oversight Committee, that subpoenaing a sitting president unleashes a host of thorny executive privilege issues underscores the complicated task ahead for Republicans as they claim they will try to connect Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings to his father.

It also comes after the Trump White House stonewalled congressional requests for official and private matters, citing privilege and other claims that the Biden White House is likely to point to in the face of GOP requests.

Asked why he plans to subpoena Hunter Biden and not his father, Comer told CNN that trying to compel testimony from a sitting president is “complicated,” while saying Republicans are planning a different approach after securing the majority in the House.

“The Democrats sent out subpoenas like junk mail, and that’s why it’s hard to get people to come in,” Comer said.