Updated February 21, 2024, 1:17 PM EST
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President Joe Biden's younger brother, James, testified Wednesday before the House Oversight and Judiciary Committee, part of a months-long impeachment inquiry into his foreign business, during which he denied the president's involvement in or profit from his business. He is said to have told lawmakers that he never received any money. Transactions by the president's family.
important facts
According to ProPublica, James Biden, 74, attended the University of Delaware for four semesters but never earned a degree, and has held a number of positions from insurance broker to nightclub owner, as well as being his brother's chief fundraiser. He is said to have served. First Senate elections in 1972.
In a 2022 interview with The Washington Post, James Biden said he was trying to support his family while keeping a low profile.
However, James Biden has been accused of using Biden's name to promote business prospects, sometimes mentioning his brother in conversations with potential business partners, and even mentioning his brother as Biden. He is said to have hinted that his position might be helpful, but he denied this in an interview with The Washington Post. .
In particular, House Republicans are scrutinizing a 2017 agreement involving James Biden, the president's son Hunter, and several other officials who wanted to form a joint venture with a Chinese energy company. Republican lawmakers argue that the deal was a deal of sorts. The president denies involvement but is spreading his influence.
The House watchdog investigation has yet to find any direct evidence that the president benefited financially from his family transactions.
In a November press release announcing subpoenas for James Biden and other family members, the House Oversight Committee said $40,000 each was sent to the president by James Biden and his wife Sarah in 2017 and 2018. and two checks worth $200,000 were identified. “Loan repayment”
Paul Fishman, a lawyer for James and Sarah Biden, did not immediately respond to Forbes' request for comment.
news peg
James Biden was subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee in November, along with his nephew and the president's son Hunter Biden, to testify in the president's impeachment inquiry. The commission previously subpoenaed banking information from both companies. The House Oversight Committee also asked Sarah Biden to testify with a transcript of her interview.
important quotes
“I have a 50-year career in various business ventures. Joe Biden has never been involved in any of these activities and has no direct or indirect financial interest in them,” James Biden said. It is reported that.
What to watch out for
Hunter Biden is scheduled to testify behind closed doors on February 28, after the president's brother testifies Wednesday.
Main background
House Republicans have spent years investigating business dealings involving members of the president's family, focusing primarily on Hunter Biden. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said last year that the president's family was trying to promote Joe Biden around the world to the detriment of the United States and to the benefit of the Biden family, including Joe Biden himself. He said bank records show the sale was made. In September, then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) cited allegations that Joe Biden participated in a phone conversation with Hunter Biden's overseas business partner while he was vice president. We have launched an impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden. However, at least one of Hunter's business partners said the call was not business-related.
Contra
Rob Walker, a business associate of Hunter Biden, told a House committee last month that the president had “never been involved in any of the business activities” the two were pursuing. President Biden has repeatedly insisted he had no involvement in his relatives' business activities, and the White House condemned an impeachment inquiry into him in December.
tangent
On Tuesday, Justice Department Special Counsel David Weiss said Alexander Smirnov, who was arrested last week on suspicion of making false statements about the president and his son, had numerous interactions with Russian intelligence officials.
References
James Biden – presidential brother, family ally, political wildcard (Washington Post)
The Benefits of Being Joe Biden's Brother (ProPublica)
Biden impeachment inquiry: How will the process progress and how will it end (Forbes)
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