James Biden, brother of former President Joe Biden, found himself in a peculiar spot when he sought help from a retired Secret Service agent to vet a Chinese client under suspicion of bribery.
According to Newsmax, James hired Dan Pupillo, a former agent who once protected Joe Biden, to dig into whether Patrick Ho, an official with a Chinese energy conglomerate, had an FBI warrant out for his arrest. This was no casual inquiry, tied to a multimillion-dollar consulting deal involving James and his nephew, Hunter Biden.
Back in February 2024, James told House investigators this was mere "due diligence" and nothing more. Yet, a Department of Justice inspector general report reveals he specifically tasked Pupillo with checking for an active warrant, suggesting a deeper concern about Ho's legal standing.
Pupillo relayed to the FBI that James mentioned, "We have information from China that Ho may be arrested." Ho, wary of traveling to the U.S. for fear of detention, needed clearance before attending an event.
The agent found no warrant at the time, and Ho made the trip without incident. However, the story didn't end there, as Ho's past caught up with him in a significant way.
In November 2017, Ho was arrested on charges of bribing African officials to secure oil rights for his company, CEFC. He was later convicted and handed a three-year prison sentence, a stark reminder that surface-level checks can miss the bigger picture.
CEFC, Ho's employer, paid James and Hunter Biden over $5 million to scout energy deals in the U.S. Such a hefty sum raises questions about what exactly was expected in return for those consulting fees.
Hunter also received a diamond valued at $80,000 from the company, alongside a $1 million payment to represent Ho legally. Despite this, Hunter never showed up at Ho's trial, leaving one to wonder about the depth of that commitment.
These financial dealings paint a troubling picture of potential conflicts, especially when family ties to high office are in play. It's hard to ignore how such arrangements might influence perceptions of impartiality in governance.
James Biden's claim of simple due diligence doesn't fully square with asking a former Secret Service agent to check for FBI warrants. That step feels less like routine vetting and more like a preemptive move to shield against fallout.
Pupillo's involvement, given his prior role on Joe Biden's detail, adds another layer of unease about blurred lines between personal business and public trust. One can't help but ask if such access was leveraged for more than just background checks.
The eventual arrest and conviction of Ho only amplify doubts about the judgment behind these partnerships. If the goal was to avoid entanglements, this venture missed the mark by a wide margin.
Before leaving office, President Joe Biden issued pardons for both Hunter and James Biden, a move that inevitably stirs debate about accountability. While the specifics of the pardons aren't tied directly to this case in the report, the timing and scope invite speculation about protecting family interests.
This saga with CEFC and Ho is a glaring example of why skepticism toward insider dealings remains high. When millions change hands and federal resources are tapped for personal business, the public has every right to demand clarity.
Ultimately, this isn't just about one Chinese client or one background check; it's about a pattern that erodes confidence in the separation of private gain from public duty. Until those lines are drawn with unwavering firmness, stories like this will continue to fuel distrust in the system.
