Below is my column in The Hill on the growing list of aliases used by President Joe Biden in prior years and the unsuccessful efforts of public interest groups and Congress to gain access to the emails. There may be innocent explanations of why the President used aliases to send information to Hunter Biden. For example, one message concerning Ukraine also mentioned his plans to go to Delaware. However, in the midst of a major corruption scandal, there is an obvious reason why Congress must be able to review these emails. It will win if this goes to court but the Biden Administration is still delaying release. In the meantime, the President has established a “war room” to deal with impeachment. Yet, he can forestall any impeachment inquiry by simply releasing his financial and email records. If these records show legitimate transactions and innocent messaging, as claimed, they will exonerate the President. In other words, this is a war that can be avoided by simple transparency. Conversely, using White House staff to cover up any wrongdoing could make this situation far worse for the President.
Here is the column:
Last year, at an event at the White House, former president Barack Obama jokingly referred to the current president as “Vice President Biden.” At the time, it was described as the more popular politician “reminding Biden who’s boss.” Yet, this needling carried an added bite, given reports of Obama’s private doubts about Biden’s judgment.
In 2020, Obama had famously warned fellow Democrats, “Don’t underestimate Joe’s ability to f— things up.”
Obama is now being asked to bail Biden out from another debacle of his own making, going back to his time in Obama’s administration. Various committees and private groups are seeking more than 5,000 emails from Biden in which he used an array of aliases during the Obama administration.
Under the Presidential Records Act, Obama has 30 days to bar the release of the emails and to help shield his former vice president in a growing corruption scandal over the influence-peddling operation run by Biden’s son, Hunter.
Recently, it was learned that Joe Biden went by a variety of code names and false names, including Robin Ware. Robert L. Peters, JRB Ware, Celtic and “The Big Guy.” House investigators believe that may only be a partial list. For many Americans, it is understandably unnerving to learn that their president has more aliases than Anthony Weiner. However, while the number seems unusual, the practice is not unprecedented.
Top officials have used such aliases in the past for emails, including former Attorneys General Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch. During the Obama administration, the practice was defended by then-White House press secretary Jay Carney, who assured the public that any such emails would still be subject to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and congressional inquiries. He added, “We do not use and should not use private email accounts for work.”
The problem is that there was “work” being discussed on some of these emails, including official foreign travel plans and the hiring of associates of Hunter for high-level positions. More importantly, some emails are relevant to the clients of Biden’s son. Biden has previously lied that he knew nothing of these dealings, but these emails could reveal even more about his knowledge and involvement.
Congress is investigating more than $20 million that was transferred to members of the Biden family from foreign sources through a labyrinth of shell companies and accounts. Even the Washington Post has been forced to admit that the president has lied in the past about aspects of Hunter’s dealings. Devon Archer recently confirmed that Joe Biden’s long-standing denial of any knowledge of their business dealings is “categorically false.”
Most reporters now admit that Hunter was clearly engaging in influence-peddling, Washington’s favorite form of corruption. Yet in the face of this growing evidence, Democrats insist that Hunter and his associates were merely selling “the illusion of influence,” not actual access or influence over Joe Biden.
Obviously, these foreign clients believed that they were buying more than an illusion for the millions they spent. One corrupt Ukrainian figure said that Hunter Biden was dumber than his dog, but that he paid him anyway for access to his father.
There are indications that these clients did receive more than illusion. For example, Archer described how Burisma executives were worried about the anti-corruption investigation being conducted by Ukrainian prosecutor general Viktor Shokin. Archer testified that Hunter immediately “called D.C.” in response to the plea. Shokin was later fired at Joe Biden’s demand.
The House Oversight Committee has hit a wall in trying to get material from the Bidens and the administration on these past dealings. It has also learned that the president communicated with this son through alias accounts. That led them to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), which has resisted the release of the emails. It has been over a year since a group requested these documents, and the NARA review is expected to take years at this pace — until after the next election.
Both Biden and Obama could easily allow the release of these emails to Congress. After all, the use of aliases has been defended on the basis that these emails are trivial or personal matters. If so, transparency will put all the allegations to rest. If it is not true, it would mean that Biden was using false names to convey important information to third parties, and the question would be why.
In one email from Hunter’s laptop, Biden associate James Gilliar explained the rules to Tony Bobulinski, then a business partner of Hunter. He was not to speak of the former veep’s connection to any transactions. “Don’t mention Joe being involved,” he wrote, “it’s only when u [sic] are face to face, I know u [sic] know that but they are paranoid.” Instead, they referred to the Big Guy or Celtic.
Likewise, a trusted FBI source said that a Ukrainian businessman had said that he paid a bribe to Joe Biden, but noted that they were told to avoid using his name and to transfer the money through a complex series of accounts.
Moreover, the request of Congress followed the discovery that staffers had used Biden’s fake government account, Robert.L.Peters@pci.gov, to send a message about meeting then-Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko with a cc to Hunter Biden.
Once again, there may be innocent explanations for such emails and the use of the alias. However, given the other evidence of corruption and influence peddling, it seems obvious that the information must be reviewed.
That brings us to the confrontation with NARA. The agency could rely on the PRA statute to enforce the refusal of Biden and Obama to allow Congress to review the evidence. Biden actually is supposed to be consulted twice under the law: as the former vice president and as the current president. Both Joe Bidens are likely to have the same negative reaction to exposing his emails.
However, special access to presidential records is expressly allowed under the PRA “to…Congress” and “to the extent of matter within its jurisdiction, to any committee…if such records contain information that is needed for the conduct of its business and that is not otherwise available.” A refusal would deny Congress critical evidence into a corruption scandal and also a possible impeachment inquiry.
The added resistance to the review of the emails only adds to an already strong case for an impeachment inquiry. Such an inquiry does not mean that impeachment is inevitable. Rather, there is enough evidence to warrant an investigation into whether the Bidens were selling the illusion or the reality of influence. By acting under its impeachment authority, the power of Congress would be at its apex in forcing these disclosures and finding answers on the alleged corrupt practices.
None of this should be necessary, of course. Biden could remove these obstacles instantly to assure the public that his aliases were innocent, even playful, pseudonyms. “JRB Ware” may be a pun, but it is not necessarily the next “Carlos Danger.” We simply do not know, but there should be no reason why the president would not want to clear the record, particularly in an election year.
Otherwise, the effort to withhold this evidence could itself prove damaging, if material evidence of corruption or false statements are found. As Obama would say, one should never underestimate that prospect when it comes to his former vice president.
Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law for George Washington University.
Given as how we have thousands of interlaced laws nailing down even the most novel attempts at privacy, why not require “registered secret alieses”.
While serving as VPOTUS and possibly at other times, Joe Biden used at least the following three aliases to disguise his emails: robinware456@gmail.com, JRBWare@gmail.com, and Robert.L.Peters[at]pci.gov. The Southeastern Legal Foundation, a nonprofit legal watchdog organization has filed suit under the Freedom of Information Act asking for disclosure of some 5,400 emails with these addresses going to or from Joe Biden while he was in the employ of the government. The National Archives that has possession of these emails refuses to release them. According to congressional sources, about one thousand of these emails went to or from Rosemont Seneca Partners, a consultancy firm founded by Christopher Heinz, Devon Archer, and Hunter Biden. Heinz, the stepson of then Secretary of State John Kerry, quit the team when Archer and Biden took jobs on the Board of Burisma, the corrupt energy company in Ukraine. Congress has an obligation to review these emails, unredacted, to determine if the VPOTUS used his office to further the corrupt activities of Burisma in return for what has been described by a reputable FBI source as bribes in the $5-$10 million range for Hunter Biden and the VPOTUS. The latter has bragged publicly about forcing the removal of a prosecutor looking into the alleged corrupt affairs of Burisma. This is the gravamen of the Congress’s upcoming impeachment inquiry and those emails sought by the Southeastern Legal Foundation should shed considerable light on whether there are grounds to impeach and remove Jose Biden as POTUS.
It could cost him, but I’d be surprised at this point. Opposition doesn’t care enough to **** or get off the pot, constituents care even less. I’ve gotten so cynical I’d imagine it’d be a relief to many if we were a fully totalitarian nation simply because they wouldn’t have to be bothered to vote anymore and could just get back to their weed and tik tok or instagram.
Forget Watergate: Biden makes Hillary and Benghazi look like a bake sale, the modern DNC and their global partners would be the envy of a Stalin, a Hitler, a Mao, a Capone, or even a Manson. Like many others, I have no idea how we change course, or even if we are possibly past that point now. It could very well not matter that many of us have not voted dem at all for some time and don’t intend to ever again.
Thanks for the elucidation on the blog, though. It’s still important.
It seems to me that the real illusion here is the one perpetrated by the puppets in the administration, the puppeteer who maintained a residence in DC following the end of his term, and the mainstream media. Raise your hand if you want to see this bubble burst.
Let’s go back to Joe Kennedy Sr. and LBJ!
Biden needs to be the center of attention. We may never have heard much about his getting rid of Viktor Shokin. But he boasted. And was caught on tape. I question the reason why Viktor Shokin had to be removed. In my recent readings, it appeared he was not intensively investigating Burisma. It seemed he was not doing his job, the EU and Great Britain were not happy with him either. I would like to know more about that issue. How did it make money for the Biden Family? Looking at the groups Hunter was involved with, other politicians pop up. John Kerry’s wife’s son; Billy Bulger’s son. Did they make money if there were any deals going on? I have so many questions about what went on. Prove to me that there were not questionable business dealings.
Obama is the man behind the curtain.
Big Mike nope. Most likely the Tyrant of California Newsom. VP Slot goes to Colorado’s King Polis.
Who would be the desired replacement for Joe Biden?
Number one would be Michelle Obama, with Trump as the Nom. she already doesn’t like the rock and roll of campaigning.
With Trump out of the way she smashes all of the others.
I think Joe knows he’s done, that’s why he doesn’t care if you see him in a swim suit at the beach bumbling around.
Newsom?
None of what Biden did appears to be illegal. Lying is not illegal unless it is under oath. Using false names in emails is not illegal as long as the emails are properly preserved. Accepting money or gifts in exchange for access is not illegal unless there is a quid pro quo connected to an action or policy position.
The Rs do not want to go down the path of saying that any of what is above is a major problem because they (Rs and Ds) all do it, especially Thomas and Trump.
Tax evasion and money laundering–very illegal. There’s probably cause there. Can’t know it didn’t happen if we don’t investigate.
I love how the goal posts keep changing as evidence mounts. It was “there is no evidence” of wrongdoing by hunter. Then there “is no evidence” of joes involvement. Then there is “no evidence” joe benefitted. Now there “is no evidence” of quo. Except there is, and the dumba$$ told on himself.
I thought I would try out a move in the Republican playbook.
I don’t really care. If Biden committed a crime, then boot him.
Fair enough Sammy. You should stick to democrat talking points though, cuz you suck at being a republican lol
Lies and deception is all anyone gets from ATS.
“None of what Biden did appears to be illegal. Lying is not illegal”
This is your world, lying and deceit.
I need not bother listing the real crimes against Joe Biden while his friends levy non-crimes on Donald Trump.
You cannot be trusted.
Joe Biden’s corruption and abuse of power are off the charts. In terms of policy, he has erased the border, lit an inflationary fire, intensified the destruction of the nation’s finances, adopted a disastrous energy policy to reward the unreasoning climate catastrophists and the green industry donors, promoted racism throughout government and society through his DEI policies, advocated for the mutilation of children and the destruction of girls’ sports to placate transgender ideologues and the medical and pharmaceutical interests that stand behind them, created a vast censorship operation, and wrecked US security policy through a botched exit from Afghanistan and a failed policy in Ukraine that has resulted in the destruction of that country with no end in sight, the reconfiguration of critical elements of the international economy including trade in energy and food, the cementing of an alliance between China and Russia and the weaponisation of the US dollar that is leading BRICS countries to expand, unite and seek alternatives.
His only solution is to jail his leading political opponent and deploy the FBI and DOJ against his ideological enemies among the public. Yet the Republicans fail to respond to this blatant politicisation of our justice system. They need to recognise that a forceful political response is required. This should include:
1. Impeachment inquiries into Biden, Garland, Wray, Weiss and Mayorkas.
2. Defunding the DOJ and FBI at least insofar as they are prosecuting/investigating Trump, and possibly other identified political/ideological opponents of the administration.
3. Defunding all censorship efforts.
4. Depriving NY and Georgia of all federal funds unless the cases against Trump are dropped.
Political prosecutions require a political response.
I left off his unconstitutional Covid policies, including the eviction moratorium and the vaccine mandates, as well as his placating of the teachers unions on school closures. Other unconstitutional measures have included the student loan “forgiveness” and his attempt to restructure the coal-fired power sector.
Daniel,
Well said and excellent analysis.
Thanks UF. This is all very frustrating. The Republicans whine that Biden has politicised the justice system but fail to use the political power they have to counter it. The Democrats when they controlled the House were not so reticent.
Daniel, your comment was excellent as you covered all of the steps Biden has taken to harm our nation.
Joe Biden has also seen Brazil head into China’s camp, Iran, Russia, North Korea and China become even closer, the BRIC movement accelerate. He has almost isolated Israel to the benefit of Iran. He, along with all of the lefty climate freaks, have not uttered one peep about China or India and they force our economy into a tailspin over a false religion. If the little girls and soy boys were actually scared to death about the climate then why have they not once complained about China? It is because the CCP is supporting the climate morons, the same way the Soviets surreptitiously supported the anti-nuke movements in the 80s. The professors hate America, they convince their little naïve captives that the cause is vital and our enemies support the movement. They want to ban gas stoves, gas water heaters, cooling fans and even cars but they never attack private jets and 10,000 square foot homes?????
I try to imagine what Biden would have done differently if he was an actual agent of the CCP and I cannot come up with one thing he would have done that he is not already doing.
PS. The economy will rebound once a Republican is in office, we will get back to a more normal energy policy, we will terminate the mutilation of children, we will maybe end censorship, we will never lock down again but the 10-15 MILLION ILLEGALS that will enter our country by the time Biden is out will be here forever…just as our enemies planned.
Hullbobby I agree with your elaboration of the list.
Daniel, you laid out the disaster Joe Biden has created, but best of all, I like your promotion to action.
Let’s make this very simple:
America’s chief law enforcement officer is the head of a global crime family.
Please to remember Obama himself has liabilities in the use of such pseudonyms on emails to include using Hillary Clinton’s illegal Server that the DOJ/FBI so clumsily ignored during the time period Clinton destroyed over 30,000 emails that were under subpoena by Investigators along with physically destroying any devices that might have held any of those emails.
Obama, Lynch, Holder, Corey and others at the White House, DOJ, and FBI all had legal obligations to not do as they did re the use of such methods….but also had very plain obligations to ensure such violations were investigated and prosecuted but they DID NOT.
Of course back then the Democrat Controlled Congress was not going to peek under any rocks looking for Democrat dirt.
“…Top officials have used such aliases in the past for emails, including former Attorneys General Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch. During the Obama administration, the practice was defended by then-White House press secretary Jay Carney, who assured the public that any such emails would still be subject to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and congressional inquiries….”
Ahem. The two examples here are Obama officials and are just two among many in a variety of agencies such as the EPA who engaged in such during the Obama years. I’m not saying that folks in Republican Administrations don’t engage in practices like this, but I can’t think of any examples. Thus, it appears to me that it is simply another example of Democrats above the law; just like using the IRS to hobble Republican efforts at electioneering in 2012.
Richard Nixon said the politics ain’t beanbag. Acknowledged. Unfortunately those getting hit it the head with the bags are citizens who don’t like the direction the Democrats are taking us.
“… such emails would still be subject to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and congressional inquiries ”
Not if no one knows what they are !
I guess the fake russian laptop gave away the beans
Secret servers and digital aliases. Apparently, Barack Obama can’t read emails.
Uranium deals and oil grifting. Apparently, Sierra Club members can’t read newspapers.
Cover ups and show trials. Apparently, Democrat judges can’t read parchment.
That kind of illiteracy tends to provoke revolutions.
So Uncle Joe was operating as a sock puppet in the 2020 election.
The evidence is out there. Here’s one:
While Joe was campaigning from the safety of his basement in 2020, a steady stream of Joe Biden “talking” Bobble Heads became available for a nominal love offering.
These were made in China; the same facility that built the Chinese spy weather balloon.
Upstate, you’re right. We really hope our constitutional procedures take effect and right our ship.
Upstate, I’m surprised he didn’t go to burning man.
Last year, at an event at the White House, former president Barack Obama jokingly referred to the current president as “Vice President Biden.”
Sounds more like a confession than a joke, telling the People who is really in charge behind the curtain.
Psychopathic tyrants really like to taunt their conquered victims.
Whataboutism is weak sauce, even for you bug boy. Changed that diaper yet?
Another 3rd grade response from the bug boy.
I know you’re a troll, but what am i?
Bug face = troll x infinity!
says the tabby to the lab, standing in a room full of canines. Delusion is the only explanation.
OT and Breaking News!
President Biden has been briefed on the dire situation unfolding at Burning Man!
East Palestine OH? Still has yet to go there.
Maui? “No comment.”
A brilliant juxtaposition, Upstate! Drowned hippy prompts action at Burning Man. Burning corpses, not so much.
Nothing stirs irony like a good coverup.
“Officials have closed the road in and out of the festival to all but emergency vehicles.”
it never occurs to them to let people out