Hunter Biden on Wednesday rejected an invitation from House Republicans to appear for a public hearing next week alongside former business associates, an inquiry his attorney dismissed as a "carnival side show."

In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Abbe Lowell, the president's son's attorney, blasted Republicans' efforts to bring his client before a public hearing after he had sat for a nearly seven-hour deposition last month. ...

The dismissal of the invitation comes after Hunter Biden and his lawyer insisted late last year that he appear for a public hearing instead of the private deposition, citing concerns that GOP lawmakers would distort his interview. The two sides ultimately agreed to a sit-down testimony first, followed by a public hearing.