Senate Republicans Demand Records on Biden’s Personal Email and Family Dealings
Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) have demanded the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) hand over records relating to former President Joe Biden’s use of a personal email address for official government business and concerning his family’s financial dealings.
In a letter to NARA’s acting general counsel, Grassley and Johnson outlined their request, which stems from their ongoing oversight of Biden’s actions while serving as vice president.
Background on the Senators’ Investigation
Grassley and Johnson have been investigating Hunter Biden’s business dealings since 2019, specifically focusing on his involvement with Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma Holdings. In 2020, they released a report alleging that Obama administration officials were aware of potential conflicts of interest posed by Hunter Biden’s position on the Burisma board and that this interference impacted U.S. policy towards Ukraine.
Biden’s Use of Personal Email
In addition to their concerns about Hunter Biden’s business dealings, Grassley and Johnson have also questioned former President Biden’s use of personal email addresses for official government correspondence. In 2023, Fox News Digital exclusively reported that Biden had used alias email accounts 327 times between 2010 and 2019 to communicate with his son and business associate Eric Schwerin, primarily while serving as vice president.
Request for Records
In their letter, Grassley and Johnson requested all records in NARA’s possession referencing:
- Hunter Biden and his business partners (e.g., Devon Archer, Christopher Heinz)
- Chinese and Russian associates
- Joint ventures and groups linked to Hunter Biden and his associates (e.g., Rosemont Seneca, Blue Star Strategies)
- Communications to or from the Office of the Vice President referencing these individuals and entities
- Records containing Biden’s pseudonyms and email addresses (e.g., [email protected], [email protected])
- All records encompassed in the nine boxes of records that were previously withheld
Justification for the Request
Grassley and Johnson justified their request for these records, stating that they are vital to their oversight work and that the American people deserve a full accounting of Biden and his family’s activities while he held public office. They also noted that Biden’s pardon of his son and other family members does not absolve them from scrutiny.
Significance of the Request
The senators’ request for these records is significant for several reasons:
- It highlights the ongoing congressional oversight of Biden’s actions, irrespective of his current status as a private citizen.
- It reinforces the importance of transparency and accountability in government, particularly when it involves the use of personal email for official business and potential conflicts of interest.
- It raises questions about the Biden family’s financial dealings and their potential impact on U.S. foreign policy.
Conclusion
Grassley and Johnson’s demand for records from NARA demonstrates their commitment to investigate potential wrongdoing and ensure that the American people have a full understanding of the conduct of their elected officials and their families. The release of these records could shed light on the extent of Hunter Biden’s business dealings and any potential conflicts of interest involving former President Biden.
