Hunter Had a Major Role in Joe Biden’s VP Office: In what is undoubtedly bad news for Joe Biden heading into the holiday weekend, newly released documents from the Obama-era White House communications have revealed that Hunter Biden’s firm, Rosemont Seneca, exchanged over 1,000 emails with his father, then-Vice President Joe Biden’s office.
The documents were released as part of a lawsuit filed by conservative law firm America First Legal (AFL), which requested records from Biden’s time as vice president between 2009 and 2017.
AFL alleges that the emails evidence Hunter’s significant power within his father’s office during the Obama administration.
For example he was able to direct correspondence, plan guest lists for state dinners and receptions, and bring people into the White House at his discretion. The firm also pointed to email exchanges showing Hunter’s involvement and knowledge of scheduling plans for various state events.
This revelation comes after Biden has insisted on multiple occasions to have never had knowledge of his son’s dealings. However, since Republicans took control of the House this year, they have opened a series of investigations looking into whether Biden had knowledge or assisted Hunter with business dealings during his time as vice president.
While the investigations have yet to produce clear evidence of such a connection, they have produced information that Republicans argue all but confirms that Joe Biden had some involvement in his son’s business.
Joe Biden and Hunter Biden Have Some Clear Problems
In June, the House Ways and Means Committee released WhatsApp messages from 2017 that showed Hunter Biden blasting business partner Henry Zhao for not fulfilling his “commitment” and said his father was with him.
Within 10 days of the messages, Chinese firm CEFC Infrastructure Investment wired $5.1 million to bank accounts linked to Hunter.
Is the DOJ Impartial?
In a recent development, emails obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit have exposed the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) involvement in responding to congressional inquiries related to their ongoing investigation into the Biden family’s business dealings, particularly focusing on Hunter Biden.
This revelation has sparked concerns about potential collusion to mislead Congress.
The investigation into Hunter Biden encompasses allegations of tax fraud, money laundering, and violations related to firearms and foreign lobbying. United States Attorney David C. Weiss, appointed by former President Trump, is leading the probe.
The Federalist reported on an email exchange that questioned whether the DOJ’s Office of Legislative Affairs played a role in responding to Senators Chuck Grassley and Ron Johnson’s inquiries about the Hunter Biden investigation.
Initially, one of Weiss’ lead assistant U.S. attorneys, Shannon Hanson, claimed she had no knowledge of the DOJ’s involvement. However, it was later revealed that the DOJ’s Office of Legislative Affairs did intervene, informing Grassley and Johnson that the DOJ would not answer their questions.
When Grassley and Johnson sent another letter requesting information, this time addressing it to Weiss, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and FBI Director Christopher Wray, the Office of Legal Counsel once again stepped in, stating that they would handle the response, further raising questions about Weiss’ authority.
Kash Patel, a former federal public defender and House Intelligence Committee aide, noted that while it is standard for congressional inquiries to go through an agency’s legislative affairs shop, it is not standard for the DOJ to engage in actions that could be perceived as attempts to subvert constitutional oversight and obstruct document production.
This situation has led to concerns about the DOJ’s actions in handling congressional inquiries related to the Hunter Biden investigation.
Collapse of ‘Sweetheart Deal’
This controversy comes amidst a backdrop of scrutiny over Hunter Biden’s so-called “sweetheart” plea deal with the Justice Department, which recently fell apart under examination by a Delaware judge.
Prosecutors now expect the case to proceed to trial, possibly in Delaware or California, where Hunter Biden faces charges related to unpaid taxes and a felony gun violation.
The plea deal, if upheld, would have allowed Hunter Biden to plead guilty to failing to pay taxes on substantial income, potentially avoiding jail time and enjoying immunity from future charges.
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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