In a closed-door interview on Monday, Devon Archer, a former business partner of Hunter Biden, told the House Oversight Committee that his colleague sold the “illusion” of access to his father, President Joe Biden.
This revelation is the latest development in the ongoing Republican-led investigations into the president’s son’s foreign business dealings.
‘No Evidence’ of Joe Biden’s Involvement
Both Republicans and Democrats are seizing on different parts of Archer’s lengthy testimony to support their respective political agendas. Matthew L. Schwartz, counsel to Archer, stated that his client answered all questions honestly and completely, leaving it to the committee and others to interpret the information.
Democrat Rep. Dan Goldman told the panel that there was no evidence connecting President Joe Biden to Hunter Biden’s foreign dealings. Goldman reported that Hunter Biden occasionally put his father on speakerphone during business meetings, but business-related discussions did not occur during these calls.
Following the interview, a second source told CNN that the “illusion” of access was primarily related to Washington, D.C., and an understanding of its workings.
The House Republicans now appear to be shifting their focus away from pursuing impeachment inquiries against Cabinet members and prioritizing efforts to link the president directly to his son’s controversial business dealings. This indicates that House investigations concerning Hunter Biden will likely take center stage.
While Archer’s testimony raised questions about President Biden’s knowledge of his son’s foreign business affairs, it did not provide concrete proof that the president was untruthful in his previous denials.
Archer’s statement was consistent with his earlier affirmation that President Biden never discussed business matters with his son or his son’s associates.
The White House seized on this part of Archer’s testimony, arguing that it corroborated President Biden’s claims of non-involvement in Hunter’s business affairs. White House spokesperson Ian Sams dismissed the ongoing Republican attacks, characterizing them as “ridiculous” and lacking critical evidence.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, while not completely dismissing the most sensational allegations against President Biden, has shown signs of considering a potential impeachment inquiry. He has been in consultation with former House GOP Speaker Newt Gingrich on the matter.
Speculation Over DOJ Request
The recent Justice Department’s request for Archer to surrender to prison in an unrelated fraud case has sparked speculation among some Republicans. They questioned whether the Biden administration was attempting to obstruct Archer’s testimony before the GOP-led committee.
Archer’s attorney, however, clarified that his client did not believe the DOJ request was connected to the congressional interview.
As the investigation rumbles on, the political implications of Archer’s testimony loom large. Republicans and Democrats will undoubtedly continue to dissect the information to further their respective narratives.
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
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