Hunter Biden's Ex-Business Partner Testifies Before House Oversight Committee

Devon Archer, a former business partner of President Biden’s son, Hunter, testified behind closed doors before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee on Monday. 

For Context: The Republican-led committee is probing allegations of influence peddling, namely allegations that Hunter Biden profited financially in international business by leveraging his connection to then-Vice President Biden while on the board of Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company. Archer was also on the Burisma board. In 2018, Archer was convicted of securities fraud for a scheme not involving Hunter Biden.

Key Quotes: The testimony was not public, so no direct quotes from Devon are available. Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) said Archer told the committee that “Burisma would have gone under without the participation of the Biden brand.” Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) called this a “mischaracterization,” stating that Archer “clarified that what Hunter Biden brought was a D.C. brand.” Goldman also told reporters that Archer testified that Hunter Biden would call Joe Biden on speakerphone while with business associates, but that “none of those conversations ever had to do with any business dealings or transactions.” Both CNN (Lean Left bias) and Washington Examiner (Lean Right bias) quoted an unnamed source stating that Archer told the committee Hunter Biden was selling the “illusion of access to [Joe Biden].”

How the Media Covered It: Outlets across the spectrum covered the testimony. Left-rated outlets typically downplayed Archers’ testimony, quoting Democratic committee members. Right-rated outlets focused on the “brand” comment and phone call statement.