Top line
James, President Joe Biden’s younger brother reportedly told lawmakers The president was never involved in or benefited from any of his business ventures during his testimony before the House Oversight and Judiciary Committees on Wednesday, part of a month-long indictment investigation in foreign commercial relations by the president’s family.
President Biden’s brother reportedly said the president “was never involved or directly involved in the process.” … (+)
Highlights
James Biden, 74, studied at the University of Delaware for four semesters but did not graduate, according to ProPublicaand held several positions, from insurance broker to nightclub owner, while also serving as chief fundraiser for his older brother’s first Senate run in 1972.
In a 2022 interview with the Washington PostJames Biden said he was trying to support his family while keeping a low profile.
However, James Biden has been accused of capitalize on the Biden Name for further his business prospects, sometimes mentioning his brother in conversations with potential business partners or implying that his Biden status could be helpful, which he denied in the Washington Post interview.
In particular, House Republicans are scrutinizing an attempted agreement in 2017 involving James Bidenthe president’s son Hunter and several other associates who hoped to create a joint venture with a Chinese energy company. Republican lawmakers say the deal was a form of influence peddling, although the president has denied any involvement in the deal.
The House Oversight investigation still has not provided direct evidence that the president benefited financially from his family’s deals.
In a November press release announcing the subpoenas for James Biden and other members of his family, the House Oversight Committee said it had identified two checks worth $40,000 And $200,000 from James Biden and his wife Sara to the president in 2017 and 2018, respectively, titled “loan repayments.”
Paul Fishman, attorney for James and Sara Biden, did not immediately respond to Forbes’ requests for comment.
News
James Biden was subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee, alongside his nephew and son of the President Hunter Biden, in November to testify as part of its impeachment inquiry into the president. The committee already subpoenaed both of their banking information. The House Oversight Committee also request Sara Biden testifies in a transcribed interview.
Crucial quote
“I had a 50-year career in various companies. Joe Biden has never had any involvement or direct or indirect financial interest in these activities,” James Biden reportedly said.
To monitor
After the president’s brother’s testimony on Wednesday, Hunter Biden will testify in private February 28
Key context
House Republicans have spent years investigating business deals involving the president’s family, focusing largely on Hunter Biden. House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said last year that bank records show the president’s family “sold out Joe Biden around the world for the benefit of the Biden family, including Joe Biden himself, to the detriment of American interests.” In September, then-Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) launched an impeachment investigation on Joe Biden, citing allegations that the president participated in phone calls with Hunter Biden’s foreign business partners while he was vice president. However, at least one of Hunter’s business partners said the phone calls were not business-related.
Contra
Rob Walker, business associate of Hunter Biden told the House committee Last month, President Biden was “never involved in commercial activities» continued the two. President Biden has insisted several times he had no involvement in the business activities of his relatives, and the White House sentenced impeachment inquiry in December.
Tangent
On Tuesday, Justice Department Special Advisor David Weiss said Alexander Smirnov—who was arrested last week for allegedly making a false statement about the president and his son – had several interactions with Russian intelligence officials.
Further reading
James Biden – presidential brother, family aide, political wildcard (The Washington Post)
The perks of being Joe Biden’s brother (ProPublica)
Biden impeachment inquiry: Here’s how the process could play out and how it could end (Forbes)
