'Indicted him to protect him — got it!' CNN’s Tapper mocks Comer to his face over Hunter Biden inquiry

During a Friday appearance on CNN, House Oversight Committee chairman Rep. James Comer (R-Kentucky) suggested that Hunter Biden was indicted on new felony charges for his own protection. Host Jake Tapper couldn't contain his sarcasm.

Department of Justice special counsel David Weiss — the holdover Donald Trump appointee whom Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed to oversee the investigation into President Joe Biden's son — announced nine new charges against Hunter Biden on Thursday. Those charges allege Biden's son failed to pay taxes despite spending hundreds of thousands of dollars, and falsely claimed business-related deductions on expenses relating to strip clubs and hiring sex workers.

Despite the seriousness of the charges, Comer told Tapper that he was concerned Weiss indicted Hunter Biden on the new charges "to protect him."

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"Ah! Yes. He indicted him to protect him. Yes. The classic rubric," Tapper said sarcastically. "He indicted him to protect him! I got it."

"Well, Jake, this whole thing has been about a cover-up," Comer insisted. "You've got two serious—"

"—That's why they indicted him? To protect him? To cover it up?" Tapper interjected.

"Well, you indict him on the least little thing. The gun charge, and not paying taxes?" Comer said.

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"He's facing like an additional 17 years in prison!" Tapper said, while laughing. "These are felonies!"

Comer has faced public critique over his failure to bring in Hunter Biden for questioning before the House Oversight Committee. While President Biden's son has agreed to appear before the committee to answer questions, he insisted that the hearings be open to the public. However, Comer bucked that request, saying that Biden had to first appear for a closed-door session. The latest indictment effectively assures Biden will prioritize the DOJ's new criminal charges over the committee's inquiry.

Watch the exchange below, or by clicking this link.