Patrick Byrne Stands Firm in Seattle Courtroom Showdown as Hunter Biden Defamation Case Hits New Low in Judicial Overreach
- Capitol Times Investigative Desk
- 9 minutes ago
- 3 min read
LOS ANGELES, CA – In a bold and defiant move amid what many conservatives are labeling as blatant "lawfare" and systemic bias, Patrick Byrne, the former Overstock.com CEO and relentless advocate for government accountability, arrived at the Los Angeles federal courthouse on January 20, 2026, ready to confront the ongoing defamation lawsuit filed against him by Hunter Biden. However, according to Byrne, U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson skipped the scheduled hearing entirely, opting instead to prepare a default judgment against him for purportedly failing to appear—a claim Byrne directly refutes with video evidence of his presence.
Byrne documented the incident in a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), showing himself standing outside Courtroom 10A at precisely 11 a.m. Pacific Time, the exact slot designated for the proceeding. "This was me standing at the judge's courtroom today at 11AM for the Hunter Biden trial he set for right now. Drove down from Seattle for it. But rather than show up, he has skipped it to take time to write a judgement that I haven't shown up for trial," Byrne posted, with the footage capturing him waiting in the empty hallway. The post rapidly gained traction, surpassing 320,000 views, thousands of likes, and a surge of supportive comments from users who view the episode as further proof of a rigged judicial process designed to protect the Biden family.
This high-stakes drama originated right here in our publication. In the inaugural June 2023 issue of Capitol Times Magazine, we featured an exclusive, in-depth interview with Byrne, where he publicly detailed his allegations for the first time. Byrne claimed that Hunter Biden had solicited an $800 million bribe from Iranian officials in late 2021, in exchange for his father—then-President Joe Biden—unfreezing approximately $8 billion in Iranian assets held in South Korea and easing U.S. pressure during ongoing nuclear negotiations. Byrne asserted that he obtained this information from reliable sources, including a former federal agent, and referenced supporting evidence such as voicemails and other corroborative materials.
In response, Hunter Biden filed the defamation lawsuit on November 8, 2023, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (Case No. 2:23-cv-09430-SVW). The complaint characterized Byrne's statements—explicitly citing the Capitol Times Magazine piece and subsequent online shares—as "completely false" and maliciously intended to damage Hunter's reputation by accusing him of grave criminal acts involving a foreign adversary.
Court documents from both parties frequently reference our magazine's interview as a central element. Hunter Biden's filing argued the allegations constituted defamation per se, seeking nominal damages of $1 plus substantial punitive awards to deter similar claims. Byrne, in his initial defenses and motions for summary judgment, contended that his statements were grounded in a good-faith belief in their veracity, protected under First Amendment precedents like New York Times v. Sullivan for commentary on public figures, and that no "actual malice" could be demonstrated.
Byrne's January 20, 2026, appearance was intended to challenge the portrayal of him as evasive. He maintains that he has consistently sought to engage, only to encounter obstacles. The judge's alleged absence from the hearing, as per Byrne's account, has intensified accusations of bias. Supporters argue this maneuver ensures Hunter avoids cross-examination, where any potential falsehoods could fall outside the protections of President Biden's December 2024 pardon, which covered Hunter's prior federal offenses but not new perjury.
This lawsuit transcends a mere defamation claim; it embodies a larger struggle over free speech, accountability, and the perceived misuse of legal systems to silence dissenters. Byrne, a self-made millionaire, J6 congressional witness, and Frederic Douglass Republican, has staked his reputation and resources on unveiling what he sees as corruption at the pinnacle of power. If his evidence—voicemails, witness accounts, and more—were ever presented in an open forum, it could profoundly alter perceptions of the Biden family's international dealings.
At Capitol Times Magazine, we remain steadfast in our mission to deliver fearless journalism that amplifies underrepresented voices and challenges entrenched narratives. Publishing Byrne's interview was about fostering informed discourse, not defamation, and we continue to monitor this case as a critical litmus test for justice in America.
As the prospect of a default judgment hangs in the balance—with no independent confirmation yet of its issuance—the rallying cry grows louder: Will the truth prevail, or will procedural tactics bury it? Patrick Byrne shows no signs of backing down, and with the Trump DOJ now in place, calls for federal intervention to investigate potential judicial misconduct or revisit the underlying bribery allegations are mounting.
This fight is far from over—it's a beacon for those demanding transparency over impunity.For the original 2023 interview, subscription details, and real-time updates on this and other stories, visit capitoltimesmedia.com or follow us on X at @capitoltimesmag
. Truth over censorship—always.
