President Trump has promised a full and unconditional pardon to Devon Archer, Hunter Biden’s former business partner who testified against him, while facing his own legal troubles for securities fraud.
Quick Takes
- President Trump announced a full pardon for Devon Archer, citing political motivation behind his prosecution related to Hunter Biden connections
- Archer, who faced prison time for securities fraud while Hunter Biden escaped charges in the same case, testified about Biden family influence peddling
- Unlike Hunter Biden who received a pardon from his father for gun and tax charges, Archer was convicted despite similar involvement in the tribal bond scheme
- Archer’s testimony to Congress revealed Joe Biden was referred to as “the brand” in business dealings and joined at least 20 calls with Hunter’s partners
- The pardon represents Trump’s efforts to reward whistleblowers who exposed alleged Biden family corruption
Presidential Pardon for a Biden Whistleblower
President Donald Trump has announced a full and unconditional pardon for Devon Archer, the former business partner of Hunter Biden who became a key witness in congressional investigations into the Biden family’s business dealings. Archer, who faced imprisonment for securities fraud related to a tribal bond scheme, had been sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison after years of legal battles. Trump’s pardon comes after Archer provided critical testimony to House Republicans about Hunter Biden’s business relationships and alleged influence peddling involving his father, President Joe Biden.
Trump’s decision to pardon Archer stands in stark contrast to President Biden’s earlier pardon of his own son Hunter, who was convicted on federal gun charges and pleaded guilty to nine tax-related charges. While Hunter Biden faced potential sentences totaling up to 42 years, he received a presidential pardon from his father. Archer’s supporters have long argued that his prosecution was politically motivated due to his connection with Hunter Biden and his eventual decision to testify against the Biden family’s interests.
Unequal Justice in Hunter’s Inner Circle
Archer’s legal troubles stemmed from his involvement in a 2015 tribal bond deal that also implicated Hunter Biden. However, while Archer was convicted and sentenced to prison, Hunter Biden never faced charges in the same case despite identical involvement. This disparity fueled speculation about political influence in prosecutorial decisions. The case began when the Southern District of New York initially targeted Hunter Biden before mysteriously shifting focus to Archer and other associates instead, according to multiple sources familiar with the investigation.
“I Never Spoke to My Son About His Overseas Business Dealings” – stated former President Biden.
This statement stands in direct contradiction to Archer’s testimony to Congress, where he revealed that Joe Biden was present on at least 20 calls with Hunter’s business partners and was referred to as “the brand” in their business dealings. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer has repeatedly pointed to this testimony as evidence that President Biden lied about his knowledge and involvement in his family’s international business activities. The investigation uncovered a complex network of shell companies allegedly used to hide foreign payments to the Biden family.
Key Testimony That Changed the Narrative
Devon Archer’s testimony to the House Oversight Committee last year proved pivotal in the impeachment inquiry against President Biden. Archer stated under oath that Joe Biden was indeed “the brand” that Hunter and his associates were selling to foreign businesses and governments. He described how Joe Biden would join dinners with Hunter’s foreign business associates and participate in phone calls that helped create an impression of access and influence, even if specific business matters weren’t directly discussed during these interactions.
“My Son Has Not Made Money … in China” – declared former President Biden.
House investigations revealed that the Biden family and their companies received over $24 million from foreign sources including China, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Romania. Archer’s testimony helped substantiate claims that the Biden family received preferential treatment in business deals based on their political connections. For his cooperation with congressional investigators, Archer faced significant personal and professional consequences, making Trump’s pardon a vindication for many conservatives who viewed him as suffering unjust prosecution for exposing corruption.
Broader Pattern of Whistleblower Protection
President Trump’s pardon of Devon Archer follows a pattern of supporting whistleblowers who exposed alleged corruption in the Biden administration. Trump has also championed Tony Bobulinski, another former Hunter Biden associate who came forward with similar allegations about Biden family influence peddling. Additionally, IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley, who testified that Department of Justice officials blocked him from following evidence that led to Joe Biden during the Hunter Biden tax investigation, was recently promoted to deputy chief of IRS criminal investigations under the Trump administration.
“Prosecutors had been investigating the president’s son since 2018.” – declared Lucien Bruggeman.
The investigation into Hunter Biden’s business dealings began well before his father announced his presidential campaign, but whistleblowers alleged political interference once Joe Biden took office. These claims contributed to the appointment of Special Counsel David Weiss in August 2023, though critics maintained that the investigation remained compromised. Trump’s pardon of Archer represents a significant rebuke of what many conservatives view as a two-tiered justice system that protected the Biden family while punishing those who exposed their alleged corruption.
