President Donald Trump has pardoned Devon Archer, a former business associate of Hunter Biden, who was convicted in a scheme to defraud a Native American tribe. Archer had also played a key role in congressional investigations into the Biden family's business dealings.
Archer’s Conviction and Legal Battle
Archer was convicted in 2018 for his involvement in a scheme that used the sale of bonds to defraud a Native American tribe. His conviction was initially overturned but later reinstated by a New York court of appeals in 2020. In 2022, he was sentenced to one year in prison. Despite the conviction, Archer has maintained his innocence, calling himself a “victim of financial fraud.”
Trump's Justification for the Pardon
Before signing the pardon, Trump said Archer was treated “very unfairly.” White House staff secretary Will Scharf suggested that Archer’s prosecution took on a different tone after he cooperated with congressional investigators looking into the Biden family's business dealings.
In a Fox News interview on Monday, Archer said he did not expect to need a pardon because he believed he had done nothing wrong.
Archer’s Role in the Biden Investigations
In 2023, Archer testified before the House Oversight Committee as Republicans sought evidence for potential impeachment proceedings against President Joe Biden. During his testimony, Archer claimed Hunter Biden sold the “illusion of access” to his father but confirmed that President Biden was not directly involved in their business dealings.
He stated that while Hunter Biden would sometimes put his father on speakerphone during meetings to impress clients, he was not aware of any actual wrongdoing by then-Vice President Biden.
Hunter Biden’s Legal Issues
Hunter Biden faced his own legal challenges, having been convicted in two separate federal cases involving gun and tax charges. In one of his final acts before leaving office, President Biden pardoned his son, despite previously saying he would not use presidential powers to benefit his family.
Political Implications
Trump’s decision to pardon Archer is likely to fuel ongoing political debates regarding the Biden family’s business dealings and Trump’s use of executive clemency. While Archer’s testimony did not directly implicate President Biden, it added to Republican claims of ethical concerns surrounding his family’s business ties.
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