House Oversight and Accountability Committee Releases Transcript of Interview with Devon Archer
The GOP-led House Oversight and Accountability Committee has released a 141-page transcript of its recent interview with Devon Archer, a former business partner of Hunter Biden. Archer testified about his business dealings with President Biden’s son, stating that Hunter Biden was selling “the brand,” and that it was the elder Biden who brought the most value to the brand.
During the interview, Archer stated that Burisma, the Ukrainian energy company where he and Hunter Biden served on the board, would have gone out of business if it didn’t have the Biden brand attached to it. However, Archer also stated that he had no knowledge of Joe Biden’s direct involvement with Burisma.
Archer further explained that the Biden brand appeared to shield Burisma because people would be intimidated to mess with them. When questioned by Republican congressman Andy Biggs, Archer confirmed that when referring to the brand, they were talking about Joe Biden.
Republicans on the committee also questioned Archer about two dinners in Washington, D.C. in 2014 and 2015, both of which Joe Biden attended. Archer recalled that the dinners were not long but confirmed that Joe Biden was present. He also stated that there were casual conversations during these dinners and that Joe Biden frequently checked in on his son, who has had issues with drugs.
Archer testified that the brand was delivered along with other capabilities and reach. He stated that Joe Biden was put on speaker phone with business contacts, potential associates, and foreign nationals around 20 times during his and Hunter Biden’s business relationship. However, Archer claimed that these calls were often casual and did not involve the substance of Hunter Biden’s business.
After the interview, Democrat congressman Dan Goldman described Archer’s testimony as Hunter Biden selling the “illusion of access” to his father. However, Archer’s answers were more nuanced, stating that while there were touch points and contact points, nothing of material importance was discussed.
The GOP’s investigations into Hunter Biden’s business dealings have been ongoing, with Republicans attempting to tie them to the president. The White House has consistently denied any involvement by the president in his son’s business ventures. Hunter Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, stated that Archer’s testimony confirmed that Joe Biden did not involve himself in his son’s business and that any interaction between Joe Biden and Hunter Biden’s business associates was simply small talk.
The House Oversight Committee has been seeking information on any possible involvement by Joe Biden in his son’s foreign business deals for months. Archer, who was convicted of securities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities fraud in 2018, has not yet been sentenced for his crimes.
Overall, Archer’s testimony provides insight into Hunter Biden’s business dealings and the role of the Biden brand. However, it does not offer concrete evidence of any wrongdoing by Joe Biden, as he was not directly involved in the substance of Hunter Biden’s business. The release of this transcript adds to the ongoing political debate surrounding the Biden family and their business activities.
Original Story at www.cbsnews.com – 2023-08-04 13:15:00
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