Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.
The National Archives has delivered nearly 6,000 pages of emails to the House Oversight Committee, advancing the Republican-led investigation into President Joe Biden’s business dealings. These emails, dating back to Biden’s term as Vice President within the Obama administration, focus on his interactions with his son, Hunter Biden, and Ukraine. It also responds to a request from last September for unredacted emails that would shed light on the Biden family’s foreign business ventures.
Upon a request from Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-KY) in August, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) began a thorough review to comply. NARA’s correspondence, dated March 26, indicated a “rolling notification process” for informing representatives of both former and incumbent Presidents. The agency has emphasized its commitment to providing the requested records after completing its review, as outlined in its recent letters.
The handover of these documents has also raised privacy concerns, with NARA warning of the inclusion of personally identifiable information (PII) within the records. The agency said, “Please note that some of these records contain personally identifiable information (PII), including personal addresses, phone numbers, and other nonpublic information. Accordingly, we ask that the Committee protect such information from public disclosure.”
Despite this significant turnover of documents, a spokesperson for the House Oversight Committee has expressed that the materials received so far are insufficient, pointing out the ongoing withholding of certain documents by the White House. In a statement, a spokesman said, “Since August the White House has been withholding all drafts of then Vice President Biden’s speech delivered to the Ukrainian Rada in 2015. Chairmen Comer and Jordan have repeatedly asked the White House to hand over these drafts but the White House continues to obstruct the House’s impeachment inquiry.”
This all comes as the committee continues to debate whether to pursue impeachment charges against President Biden. A week before NARA’s letter, Chairman Comer hinted at alternatives to impeachment, suggesting criminal referrals might be a more effective approach.
