As it considers whether to block the release by the Obama administration of a number of documents that could contain information about Hunter Biden’s relationship with Burisma, the Biden White House has sofar remained silent.
Insider reported that the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), informed the White House that it would soon release almost 300 emails in response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), requests for emails containing the word “Burisma” on November 30. Although the Biden administration could block the release of these records, the White House has not yet said if it will.
The requested records include 69 images as well as 282 emails messages. These were reviewed by NARA, and are now available for public release. There were 22 emails in the same category that contained information that was not subject to FOIA requests. These emails were also restricted and 75 messages will be redacted partially if the president allows them.
FOIA requests are not allowed for draft documents that “participate in the deliberative, policy-making process”. Information that could be used to violate privacy rights or reveal trade secrets is also exempted. NARA didn’t specify which exemptions 22 restricted emails fell under.
Members of the media filed FOIA requests after Hunter Biden joined Burisma’s board in 2014. This lucrative position paid up to $83,333 per month, despite Biden’s lack of experience in energy sector.
Biden family corruption allegations have focused on Hunter Biden’s relationship to Burisma. Republicans accuse the Biden family of exploiting Joe Biden’s position as vice-president in foreign business deals. The involvement of President Biden in the son’s business transactions has been denied previously. If the emails are released, they could shed light on Hunter Biden’s relationship to Burisma, and reveal if the president has been telling the truth.
Fox News attempted to reach the White House for comment, but was not able to get a reply before publication.
The Presidential Records Act gives Biden’s legal team 60 days to decide whether the president will exercise executive privilege.
Insider reports that if they refuse to release the emails, they could be sealed up until January 2029 unless a court intervenes.
Republicans plan to launch a series of investigations into Hunter Biden’s business dealings after they assume control of the House of Representatives.
Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), who is the incoming Chair of the House Oversight Committee and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), who are expected to soon head the Judiciary Committee, claimed at a Nov. 17 press conference that President Biden was involved in overseas business deals with his son Hunter.
Comer claimed that the Biden family had “flourished” and become millionaires simply by offering them access to the family at the press conference.
In November, the Republicans published a report stating that they had found evidence of wire fraud, violation by the Foreign Agents Registration Act and money laundering.
The White House reacted by accusing congressional Republicans that they promote “long-debunked conspiratorial theories.”
