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Recently released photographs from the National Archives have revealed direct evidence of then-Vice President Joe Biden's meetings with his son Hunter's Chinese business associates, contradicting years of denials about involvement in family business dealings. The images, obtained through litigation by America First Legal, document a 2013 Beijing trip where Biden introduced Hunter to Chinese President Xi Jinping and key figures from BHR Partners.
The timing of this release has sparked controversy. America First Legal noted that Biden and Obama administration lawyers delayed the photos' release until after Election Day, despite an original planned disclosure date of October 23, 2024. This decision has drawn criticism from transparency advocates and political observers.
Devon Archer, Hunter's former business partner, testified to the House Oversight Committee that Hunter regularly involved his father in business dealings, putting him on speakerphone during meetings "at least 20 times" to help sell "the brand." This testimony directly challenges President Biden's 2019 campaign trail assertion: "I have never spoken to my son about his overseas business dealings."
The photographs coincide with significant business developments. BHR Partners, a Chinese state-backed investment firm, was registered just 12 days after the Bidens' diplomatic visit. Hunter maintained a 10% stake in the company through part of his father's presidency, later transferring control to Kevin Morris, who provided loans exceeding $6.5 million.
Email evidence further complicates the narrative. A 2017 message shows Hunter requesting office keys for Joe and Jill Biden at a space shared with a Chinese energy company representative. Another email reveals Hunter soliciting a $10 million wire transfer while "sitting here with my father."
The scope of these connections extends beyond China. Hunter organized Washington dinners in 2014 and 2015 featuring his father and business associates from Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine. Notable attendees included Vadym Pozharskyi from Burisma Holdings, which paid Hunter a $1 million annual salary.
President Biden's recent pardon of Hunter, covering potential crimes back to 2014, has intensified scrutiny. Michael Ding of America First Legal stated, "Even while President Biden has pardoned his son, more evidence emerges daily showing how his family leveraged Joe Biden's career in public office for private gain."
These revelations have significant implications for public trust and governmental transparency. With nearly 70% of Americans, including 40% of Democrats, believing Biden acted either illegally or unethically regarding family business interests, these photographs provide concrete evidence of connections previously denied, raising serious questions about the intersection of personal profit and public service at the highest levels of government.
