GOP senator demands dual subpoenas

Sen. John Curtis is asking the Senate Judiciary Committee to subpoena both Donald Trump Jr. and Hunter Biden to testify about their foreign business relationships and any benefits they received.

Russian oligarch paid for Trump Jr.'s party

Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev, who has ties to Vladimir Putin, paid for Donald Trump Jr.'s post-wedding celebration on Caribbean islands in May. Trump Jr. and his wife later called it an extraordinarily generous wedding gift.

“an extraordinarily generous wedding gift from a friend, and something for which we were and remain incredibly grateful.”

Curtis raises national security concerns

Curtis warned that foreign payments to presidential family members could create expectations of favorable treatment or returned favors, potentially creating national security vulnerabilities.

“These reports raise legitimate questions about foreign access to members of a sitting president's family”

Curtis compares the two cases

Curtis criticized the disparity in Republican scrutiny, saying a toaster is a normal wedding gift but a private island party paid by a Putin-connected oligarch is something else entirely.

“A toaster is a wedding gift. A private-island party paid for by a Putin-connected oligarch is something else.”

Durbin backs the subpoena request

Senate Judiciary Committee ranking member Dick Durbin supported Curtis' call, noting that Hunter Biden gave seven hours of sworn testimony while Trump Jr. has not.

“For the Committee to ignore this matter is to run the risk of being complicit in a coverup”

Hunter Biden challenges Trump Jr. to testify

Hunter Biden responded on social media saying he would testify anytime, anywhere without a subpoena, and challenged Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Jared Kushner to do the same.

“I'll sit next to Don Jr. and testify any time, any place. No need for a subpoena.”

Trump defends his son's payment

The president said accepting the payment from Kremlev is totally allowed and claimed his son paid him back, though he didn't provide details about the repayment.

“It's totally allowed. But as I understand it, he paid him back.”

Committee faces scheduling constraints

A Judiciary Committee spokesperson said the panel received Curtis' letter but hearing dates are extremely limited through the end of the year, making swift action unlikely.