Hunter Biden’s business partner Devon Archer sat down for a transcribed conversation with members of the House Oversight Committee, and Chairman Jim Jordan (R – OH) of the Judiciary Committee on Monday.
Rep. Dan Goldman, D-NY, addressed reporters during a brief break in the interview to minimize the impact Archer’s testimonies. He acknowledged that Hunter Biden often placed his father Joe Biden on speakerphone when meeting with business partners, but tried to downplay the significance by saying they were just “talking about the weather” or other pleasantries.
On Monday afternoon as the interview came to a close, Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University, joined Bill Hemmer, Gillian Turner, and Fox News reporter Chad Pergram to discuss the information that had been revealed so far. Pergram spoke with an anonymous source. Turley previously stated that Joe Biden “clearly” lied to the American public about his involvement in Hunter’s business dealings throughout his presidency, both directly and through his representatives. Turley reiterated this point on Monday but asked why the president lied.
Turley made some important points during this segment. It may take a few days before the transcript of the interview will be released, and the American public is able to fully evaluate Archer’s testimonies.
Turley was asked if he believed the Bidens’ story about the extent of Joe’s involvement in Hunter’s business dealings has slipped.
What a shock that Representative Goldman, based on what we have learned from Chad about this meeting, would say, “It was a father being a parent.” That’s just unbelievable.
You have a record of the meetings where it was discussed that Viktor Shokin would be removed as a prosecutor and the calls made to Joe Biden, Vice president at the time. You can now recall over 20 of these calls. You have someone saying, “Yes, the President was involved in moving the brand. ‘”
What was the brand name? This was a brand that was promoting influence, and Joe Biden was the target of this influence peddling. He played a key role in that. If this is true – and I have no doubt about the reporting by Chad – then the President has lied. He lied in the presidential debate. He’s lied over the years. And he has had White House staff lie. That’s always serious. The next question to ask is, “Why did he lie?”
Regarding the White House’s insistence that this is a personal matter or family matter and whether they could continue to make that case, Turley observed:
No. This was not a personal matter, but a business. For years, the Bidens are in the influence-peddling business. Even some of his media protectors have admitted it – Joe Biden’s younger brother, Hunter Biden, actively sought to engage in influence peddling. This is the view of many of us. This was a classic operation. What’s different, however, is the direct involvement of Vice-President Joe Biden.
It’s insulting for you to say that this was a private family matter. What do think of influence peddling? It wasn’t, like, “Can you get us an invite to the Biden Delaware Beach House?” but rather, “Can you get us influence in the Administration?” Can we include Joe Biden in this “brand”?
Turley summarized the situation when asked about the significance of the fact that the Republican stories they have been discussing in relation to the Bidens now seem to be supported by what we know of Archer’s comments:
We have to ignore the Democratic denials. Goldman and others will not admit to the clear evidence of influence peddling. False statements, special deals, all that has been established. The American people don’t buy it. Despite all the denials and the polls that show they are able to see through it.
We’re now back at the question that Speaker McCarthy asked a few weeks ago: “What would you like me to do?” Do you want me to just walk away? One of Hunter Biden’s closest friends has said, “Yeah we sold access essentially, this was our brand – Vice President Joe Biden was directly involved.” Do you want to know the truth? “Nobody outside Washington will view this as a personal matter.”
