A collection of newly surfaced photographs has reignited controversy surrounding President Joe Biden's previous claims about his son's business dealings.
According to Fox News, images obtained through litigation with the National Archives and Records Administration show then-Vice President Biden meeting with Hunter Biden's Chinese business associates, including executives from BHR Partners, during a 2013 trip to China.
The photographs, released by America First Legal, capture Joe Biden introducing Hunter to Chinese President Xi Jinping and then-Vice President Li Yuanchao. Additional images show the elder Biden posing with BHR Partners executives Jonathan Li and Ming Xue, contradicting his repeated assertions of never discussing business with his son.
Hunter Biden provided testimony earlier this year to the House Oversight Committee regarding these meetings. He described a brief encounter in a hotel lobby where he introduced his father to Jonathan Li, characterizing it as a casual interaction before having coffee with Li separately.
The timing of these photo releases has drawn criticism, as lawyers representing both President Biden and former President Obama reportedly delayed their release until after Election Day. This development adds another layer to the ongoing scrutiny of the Biden family's international business connections.
These revelations directly challenge President Biden's 2019 campaign trail statement, in which he explicitly stated, "I have never spoken to my son about his overseas business dealings."
Devon Archer, a former business associate of Hunter Biden, provided testimony that contradicts the president's claims of non-involvement. In a closed-door hearing with the House Oversight Committee, Archer detailed how Hunter would put his father on speakerphone during business meetings at least 20 times to demonstrate their connection.
America First Legal Counsel Michael Ding stated:
Even while President Biden has pardoned his son, Hunter, for anything and everything 'he has committed or may have committed or taken part in' going all the way back to the year 2014, more evidence comes out each day showing how his family leveraged Joe Biden's even longer career in public office for private gain.
The photos' release coincides with President Biden's recent pardon of his son Hunter for potential crimes dating back to 2014. In announcing the pardon, the president defended his actions, stating:
There has been an effort to break Hunter — who has been five and a half years sober, even in the face of unrelenting attacks and selective prosecution. In trying to break Hunter, they've tried to break me — and there's no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough.
The controversy extends to email communications between Hunter Biden and his business associates. Previous investigations revealed emails where Hunter requested keys for Joe and Jill Biden at a space he planned to share with representatives of a Chinese energy company.
These developments have sparked strong reactions from various political figures and commentators. Many view the photographs as conclusive evidence contradicting the president's previous statements about his involvement in his son's business affairs.
The White House has not responded to requests for comment about the photographs or the scope of the recent presidential pardon.
The newly uncovered photographs document then-Vice President Biden's direct interactions with Hunter's Chinese business partners during his 2013 China visit. These images have intensified scrutiny of the Biden family's international business relationships and raised questions about the accuracy of President Biden's previous statements denying involvement in his son's business affairs.
