Comer Letter To NARA

August 30, 2023
The Honorable Colleen Shogan

Archivist of the United States
National Archives and Records Administration
700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20408
Dear Dr. Shogan:
The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating President Biden’s

meetings and communications with certain family members and their business associates during
his tenure as Vice President. The Committee is concerned about then-Vice President Biden’s role
in his family’s foreign business ventures and that he may have used his office to enrich his
family. For example, recent reporting indicates Hunter Biden traveled to at least 15 countries
with then-Vice President Biden. 1 The Committee has also learned that then-Vice President
Biden met with at least one of Hunter Biden’s associates in Beijing while visiting on official
business. 2 The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the custodian agency
of Vice-Presidential records, and the Committee seeks information regarding the use of Air Force
Two by then-Vice President Biden’s family during the Obama-Biden Administration.
The Committee seeks unrestricted special access under the Presidential Records Act
(PRA) to certain records related to then-Vice President Biden’s foreign travel with his family on
Air Force Two and Marine Two. Then-Vice President Biden’s misuse of Air Force Two and
Marine Two is indicative of yet another way in which the President has abused his various
offices of public trust and wasted taxpayer money to benefit his family’s enterprise, which
consisted of nothing more than access to Joe Biden himself. Devon Archer, a longtime Biden
family associate, has stated it is “categorically false” that Joe Biden played no role in his son’s
foreign business dealings. 3 Flights on Air Force Two around the world to seal business deals are
evidence of that role.
The Committee seeks additional information about the Biden family’s use of Air Force
Two and Marine Two. Please provide these documents no later than September 13, 2023:
1
Jessica Chasmar & Cameron Cawthorne, Hunter Biden traveled to at least 15 countries with VP dad: ‘I can catch
a ride with him’, Fox News (Aug. 23, 2023).
2
Transcript of Interview with Devon Archer, H. Comm. on Oversight & Accountability, p. 124 (July 31, 2023).
3
Interview with Devon Archer, Tucker on Twitter (@TuckerCarlson), Ep. 13 Part 2. Devon Archer (Aug. 4, 2023;
8:13 AM).
August 30, 2023
Page 2 of 3
1. All documents and communications from the Executive Office of the President
(including but not limited to the Office of the Vice President) to or regarding certain
Biden family members or associates (Hunter Biden, Eric Schwerin, Devon Archer, or
Jeffrey Cooper) and relating to Air Force Two or Marine Two travel from January 20,
2009, to January 20, 2017;
2. All Air Force Two and Marine Two manifests from January 20, 2009, to January 20,
2017, that include any Biden family member or associates (Eric Schwerin, Devon
Archer, or Jeffrey Cooper); and
3. All documents and communications referring to or relating to any security incidents
on Air Force Two or Marine Two from January 20, 2009, to January 20, 2017.
Special access to Presidential records may be granted “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….” 4 Furthermore, the
PRA subjects Vice-Presidential records to its provisions “in the same manner as Presidential
records.” 5
The Committee’s need for these Vice-Presidential records is specific and well-
documented. The Committee seeks to craft legislative solutions aimed at deficiencies it has
identified in the current legal framework regarding ethics laws and disclosure of financial
interests related to the immediate family members of Vice Presidents and Presidents—
deficiencies that may place American national security and interests at risk. The Committee is
concerned that foreign nationals have sought access and influence by engaging in lucrative
business relationships with high-profile political figures’ immediate family members, including
members of the Biden family. For additional information regarding the Committee’s legislative
purpose pertaining to this investigation, the Committee directs you to three bank records
memoranda it has released this year. 6
The Committee on Oversight and Accountability has specific jurisdiction over NARA
under House Rule X. Additionally, the Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the
principal oversight committee of the U.S. House of Representatives and has broad authority to
investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X.
4
44 U.S.C. § 2205 (2)(C) (2023).
5
44 U.S.C. § 2207 (2023).
6
Memorandum (Mar. 16, 2023), H. Comm. on Oversight & Accountability. From Maj. Comm. staff to Comm.
Members. Re: New Evidence Resulting from the Oversight Committee’s Investigation into the Biden Family’s
Influence Peddling and Business Schemes; Memorandum (May. 10, 2023), H. Comm. on Oversight &
Accountability. From Maj. Comm. staff to Comm. Members. Re: Second Bank Records Memorandum from the
Oversight Committee’s Investigation into the Biden Family’s Influence Peddling and Business Schemes;
Memorandum (Aug. 9, 2023), H. Comm. on Oversight & Accountability. From Maj. Comm. staff to Comm.
Members. Re: Third Bank Records Memorandum from the Oversight Committee’s Investigation into the Biden
Family’s Influence Peddling and Business Schemes.
August 30, 2023
Page 3 of 3
To schedule the delivery of responsive documents or if you have questions regarding this
request, please contact Committee on Oversight and Accountability staff at (202) 225-5074.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this important investigation.
Sincerely,
______________________________
James Comer Byron Donalds
Chairman Member of Congress
Committee on Oversight and Accountability
Cc: The Honorable Jamie B. Raskin, Ranking Member

Committee on Oversight and Accountability

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August 30, 2023

The Honorable Colleen Shogan

Dear Dr. Shogan:

The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating President Biden’s

Cc: The Honorable Jamie B. Raskin, Ranking Member

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