In a recent revelation, President Joe Biden's communication with his son Hunter Biden's investment firm during his vice presidency has come under scrutiny. The emails, spanning from January 2011 to December 2013, shed light on the intricate relationship between the then-Vice President and his son's business dealings.
The Emails and Their Implications: America First Legal obtained these emails, which cover a period when Joe Biden served as Vice President under the Obama administration. Notably, the White House invoked executive privilege to withhold around 200 emails that mentioned Hunter's firm. These emails reportedly contained "confidential advice between the President and his advisors, or between such advisors."
The correspondence reveals that the office of the then-VP had "extensive communication" with Hunter and his business associates, leveraging their access to the Barack Obama White House. The emails indicate that employees of Rosemont Seneca, Hunter's firm, had access to details such as guest lists, seating assignments, and biographies of guests for official events, including state dinners.
Specific Instances Highlighted: One particular email from December 2013 stands out. Lobbyist Doug Davenport urgently sought tickets for the White House Christmas tour. He reached out to Hunter's former business partner, Eric Schwerin, expressing the need for tickets for an Apple executive and his colleagues. Schwerin then directed a Rosemont Seneca employee to contact the White House, emphasizing that fulfilling this request would be a "big favor for Hunter."
The Legal Perspective: Gene Hamilton, Vice President and General Counsel of America First Legal, remarked that these records further underscore the close ties between Hunter's foreign business ventures and the Office of the Vice President during the Obama era. The documents were procured through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit, targeting records from Joe Biden's vice-presidential tenure.
The Administration's Response: In light of these revelations, former White House Press Secretary Jay Carney defended the practice, stating that it aligns with the actions of previous administrations from both parties. He emphasized that any Freedom of Information Act request or congressional inquiry would encompass all email accounts used by any political appointee.
The recent revelations about the Biden family's communications have added another layer to the ongoing discussions about the relationship between politicians and their family's business dealings. As the nation grapples with these revelations, the broader implications for political transparency and ethics remain at the forefront of the debate.