The National Archives has announced the potential release of a collection of emails found on the White House server, shedding light on former Vice President Joe Biden’s foreign business deals, Your Content is first to report.
In a letter addressed to Counsel for the President Stuart Delery, the National Archives disclosed the nature and extent of the materials under review.
According to the letter, the collection comprises 197 email messages, 9 electronic files, 405 textual pages, and 209 images. The National Archives subjected these records to a thorough review based on the Presidential Records Act (PRA) restrictive categories and applicable Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) exemptions. As a result, a significant portion of the material has been restricted, while some emails and files are proposed for release.
“This researcher submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for records related to Hunter Biden, James Biden, and their foreign business dealings,” the letter to the White House reveals.
Out of the total, 140 email messages, 7 electronic files, and 222 pages have been restricted in their entirety, along with 11 email messages and 2 pages partially restricted. The remaining 46 email messages, 2 electronic files, 181 pages, and 209 images are being considered for public release, as they do not require closure under the relevant statutes.
The content of the proposed release includes email messages from January 2011 to March 2011, during which the company name “Rosemont Seneca” appears.
“The Biden Vice Presidential records to be opened are email messages from January 2011 to March 2011 that include the company name ‘Rosemont Seneca,’” the letter continues.
Rosemont Seneca is an investment firm that was co-founded by Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, along with Christopher Heinz, stepson of former Secretary of State John Kerry, and Devon Archer, a longtime business associate. The firm was established in 2009 and has been involved in various business ventures, including private equity investments and consulting services.
Hunter Biden’s association with Rosemont Seneca and his foreign business dealings have attracted public scrutiny and allegations of potential conflicts of interest.
Additionally, the collection encompasses January 2011 guest lists for the China State Luncheon event, emails regarding Amtrak’s Vice President requesting Vice President Biden’s attendance at the Wilmington Station dedication ceremony, and messages from Hunter Biden related to a request for Vice President Biden’s signature on a photograph.
The National Archives has taken steps to inform representatives of former Vice President Biden, Robert Lenhard, James Garland, and Dana Remus, as well as representatives of former President Obama, Anita Breckenridge, Bob Bauer, and Emily Blakemore. This notification process aligns with the standard procedure before releasing potentially sensitive records.
In accordance with the applicable laws, the National Archives intends to release the records on June 22, 2023, which marks 60 working days from the date of the letter. However, the former President, former Vice President, or incumbent President have the option to request a one-time extension of an additional 30 working days. They may also assert a constitutionally based privilege as outlined by the statutes.
The researcher who initially submitted the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for these records sought information specifically related to Hunter Biden, James Biden, and their foreign business dealings. The email messages from the specified timeframe and containing the company name “Rosemont Seneca” were of particular interest.