James Comer, one of the main Republicans responsible for looking into President Joe Biden as part of the House’s impeachment inquiry, just appeared on CNN and argued with host Jake Tapper about the recent Hunter Biden charges and what he believes they show about what the government is up to.

Particularly, Comer argued that the indictments were meant more to protect Hunter Biden then hold him to account, claiming that the charges aren’t serious given what Hunter has been up to. Tapper reacted in disbelief, mocking Comer’s claims about Hunter.

Beginning, Rep. Comer maintained that the Hunter Biden charges are not related to the alleged evidence he and others have uncovered of Biden Family wrongdoing, saying, “What he got charged with, with that indictment last night, that had nothing to do with all of the so-called loans that the Bidens have taken. We’ve identified, it appears, with the president’s son and brother, over $14 million in loans where it doesn’t look like they made any payments on — principal or interest. And what point do those loans, if you’re not going to pay ’em back, become income?”

Then, continuing, Comer argued that the charges are “just the tip of the iceberg” and that more is in store for Hunter, and that he thinks the goal behind this indictment might have been to protect him. Comer said, “So, we think this is just the tip of the iceberg. We think there’s many more crimes. and my concern is that [David] Weisse may have indicted Hunter Biden to protect him from having to be deposed in the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday.”

Tapper, for his part, reacted in mocking disbelief to Comer’s claim, saying, “Ah, yes! Yes! He indicted him to protect him. Yes! The classic rubric. He indicted him to protect him. I got it!” Comer in response, said, “Well, look, this whole — Jake, you know, this whole thing’s been about a coverup. You know you’ve got two serious—” That’s when Tapper cut him off, saying, “That’s why he indicted him, to protect him? To cover it up?”

Comer, responding, minimized the charges Hunter is currently facing, saying, “Look, you indict him on the least little thing, the gun charge and not paying taxes —” Tapper again reacted with disbelief, saying, “He’s facing like 17 additional years in prison! These are felonies!” That’s when Comer argued that any other American would be in prison at this point, saying, “Yeah, but look at what he’s done! Anybody else in America would already be in prison.” Watch Comer here:

Also during the interview Tapper attacked Comer for minimizing Hunter’s offer to testify, saying, “You’ve called Biden to testify next week before your committee. You said if he does not appear, you will hold him in contempt of Congress. Hunter Biden has said, and his lawyers, that he’s willing to testify publicly. He just doesn’t want to do it behind closed doors. He’s afraid Republicans will leak his remarks and they’ll put them out of context. Why not just allow his appearance to be public? I have to say just as a journalist, I really just, as you generally know, I like the transparency. Ask him anything you want, I would like to see it.”

That’s when Comer fired back by explaining the important work his committee needs to do and why a public hearing of the sort Hunter wants wouldn’t work, saying, “My job is not to entertain you all. My job is to get the proof. When you have a public hearing, a regular committee hearing, you know how they are. Each side gets five minutes. We have 25 Republicans. We would probably get 35, maybe 40 questions in. We have about 7 or 800 specific questions.”

Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video