In a closed-door briefing on Monday, former Hunter Biden associate Devon Archer revealed that President Joe Biden and his son maintained frequent communication, with the younger Biden occasionally including his father on calls with business associates.
The testimony, which stressed the absence of any business-related discussions during these calls, has renewed scrutiny into the President’s awareness of his son’s overseas business activities.
In the past, Biden claimed to have no knowledge of such dealings or talked to Hunter Biden about such buisness.
Republicans, seeking clarity on the extent of President Biden’s involvement in his son’s business dealings, are now considering an impeachment inquiry to bolster their investigatory efforts. The White House, however, continues to assert that Joe Biden had no business ties with Hunter Biden.
Joe Biden Has a Problem
During the GOP-led panel investigation into Hunter Biden’s global consulting and investment work, Archer testified that Joe Biden was brought into some conversations to help promote “the brand.” Rep. James Comer, who chairs the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, stated that approximately 20 calls involving Joe Biden took place, including instances during his tenure as Vice President.
Archer’s testimony indicated that the calls occurred while Hunter Biden was conducting business meetings. His legal team downplayed their significance, stating that it was well-known for Hunter and Joe Biden to communicate daily, with any exchange during business meetings limited to small talk.
Some Republican leaders consider the evidence leading to Biden as the “big guy” referred to by several of Hunter Biden’s associates in key emails. This suggests he may have been involved in his son’s business dealings, namely in China and Ukraine.
The President had previously stated during his presidential campaign that he had “never spoken to my son about his overseas business dealings.”
Democrats Dismiss Republican Complaints
While Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman emphasized that Republicans had failed to demonstrate any involvement by Joe Biden in his son’s activities, Archer’s testimony raised concerns. Archer, who served on the board of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma alongside Hunter Biden, revealed that the company’s owner exerted pressure on Hunter to seek assistance from Washington in undermining a Ukrainian prosecutor who was investigating Burisma for corruption.
The younger Biden reportedly leveraged his prominent last name to attract foreign business opportunities, capitalizing on the potential connections he could offer. This occurred during the period when Joe Biden was Vice President under Barack Obama, though the extent of the Vice President’s formal powers was limited.
Hunter Biden’s consulting work between 2013 and 2018 was lucrative, but it was also marred by personal challenges, including struggles with drug addiction and tax issues. While he is expected to plead guilty to tax charges, concerns remain about the terms of such a move following the collapse of a plea deal last week.
Republicans recently released an FBI document containing unverified claims that Burisma hired Hunter Biden at his father’s request and made payments to the Biden family in exchange for political influence. Democrats have dismissed these claims as lacking credibility.
President Joe Biden has faced scrutiny over the financial activities of relatives during his time in office, but no evidence has surfaced linking him to any official actions tied to these payments.
As investigations continue, the revelations from Archer’s testimony have reignited discussions on the Biden family’s business dealings, ensuring that the issue remains at the forefront of political discourse.
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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