U.S. News
Chair of Oversight Committee Calls for Criminal Prosecution of James Biden in Letter to New Trump DOJ
By Jake Beardslee · January 18, 2025
Biden Family Finances Under Renewed Scrutiny
The Biden administration may be nearing its conclusion, but scrutiny of the financial dealings involving President Joe Biden's family members is far from over. In a significant move, House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-KY) has called on the Justice Department to pursue criminal charges against James Biden, the president's brother, for allegedly providing false statements to Congress, according to Fox News. The allegations stem from James Biden’s purported role in influence-peddling schemes that have drawn intense Republican scrutiny. Jack Gruber-USA TODAY
Comer Urges DOJ to Investigate James Biden’s Alleged Involvement
In a letter to Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi, Comer requested the Justice Department to hold James Biden accountable, stating, "No one should be above the law, regardless of his last name." The letter accuses James Biden of lying to Congress in order to shield President Biden from being implicated in the family's business dealings. Jack Gruber-USA TODAY
Comer Presses DOJ on Hunter Biden’s Alleged Accomplice
In his letter, Comer stated that he wanted to “remind incoming Department of Justice leadership of Hunter Biden’s main accomplice in his influence peddling schemes (aside from Joe Biden himself), whom the House Committees on Oversight, the Judiciary, and Ways and Means previously identified to Attorney General Merrick Garland as having misled Congress regarding Joe Biden’s participation in his family’s influence peddling and deserving of prosecution under federal law: James Biden, the President’s younger brother.” Jack Gruber-USA TODAY
Key Allegations Surround James Biden’s Testimony
James Biden allegedly denied Joe Biden’s involvement in a meeting with Hunter Biden, business associate Tony Bobulinski, and himself. Comer labeled this denial a "clumsy attempt to protect Joe Biden from the reality that he has indeed met with his family’s business associates." Josh Morgan / USA TODAY NETWORK
Republicans Double Down on Biden Investigations
The allegations against James Biden follow months of Republican efforts to investigate the Biden family. Last year, Comer and other Republicans urged an investigation into both Hunter and James Biden. Although Hunter Biden received a presidential pardon from his father, which shields him from further legal consequences, James Biden remains legally vulnerable. Jasper Colt / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Criminal Referral Cites False Statements to Congress
In June, the House Ways and Means Committee, along with the Judiciary and Oversight Committees, submitted a criminal referral to then-Attorney General Merrick Garland. The referral accused James Biden of making "materially false statements" during congressional testimony. Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH) reiterated the seriousness of these accusations, stating, "Lying to Congress is a serious crime with serious consequences." Josh Morgan / USA TODAY NETWORK
Republicans Target Alleged Influence-Peddling Scheme
Comer has previously described Joe Biden as "the brand" of the family’s business ventures. In a December Op-Ed published on Fox News, Comer accused Joe Biden of having “lied from start to finish about his family’s influence-peddling racket.” He further stated, “He recently issued a sweeping pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, contradicting his repeated assurances that he would not interfere.” Josh Morgan / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images