James Comer, the Republican chair of the US House Oversight Committee, has penned a new book titled "All the President's Money: Investigating the Secret Foreign Schemes That Made the Biden Family Rich," set to be released next week. The book alleges financial misconduct by President Joe Biden, drawing upon a private conversation Comer claims to have had with Bob Woodward, a renowned Washington Post reporter. In this conversation, Woodward purportedly stated that "everyone in DC knew" of Biden's financial corruption. Despite Comer's extensive investigation, no concrete evidence of wrongdoing by the Biden family has surfaced, leaving the allegations largely unsubstantiated.
Comer's book draws heavily on his investigation into the Bidens, focusing on alleged financial impropriety linked to foreign governments. He asserts that Woodward, whose credibility in Washington is well-established, provided insights into Biden's purported financial dealings. During their conversation, Comer claims to have asked Woodward about his investigation. Woodward's response was that it "would either be bigger than Watergate or it would end up being a big nothing burger," suggesting the potential scale of the findings.
“He replied that he thought Biden had obviously worked the system his entire political career, and that his son and both brothers had a troubled financial history.” – Woodward
Comer's narrative suggests that Woodward believed Biden's family had benefitted from his political connections. However, the investigation fell short of finding definitive proof. Jonathan Turley, a key Republican witness, concluded that the evidence against Biden did not meet the threshold for impeachment and removal. This lack of evidence casts doubt on Comer's claims and raises questions about the motivations behind his book.
“You will have to prove all of Joe Biden’s wrongdoing,” Woodward reportedly advised, “and you will likely not be able to do that.”
The book is a nod to Woodward's famous work "All the President's Men," which exposed the Watergate scandal. Comer's choice of title underscores an ambition to emulate Woodward's investigative prowess. However, unlike Watergate, Comer's investigation did not result in definitive findings. Despite this, Comer aims to keep controversy alive as Biden approaches the end of his term.
Hunter Biden, President Biden's son, adds another layer to this complex narrative. He faced criminal charges related to taxation and guns earlier this year, which resulted in a conviction. In a move that sparked further debate among critics and supporters alike, President Biden granted his son a pardon last month. While this act drew scrutiny, it has been entangled with broader allegations against the Biden family that Republicans claim indicate systemic financial misconduct.
Comer's book incorporates a mix of conspiracy theories and unverified claims about the Bidens. These narratives are a continuation of longstanding rightwing assertions that often mix fact with speculation. While Comer has built his career on a nonpartisan approach to reporting on presidents and their high-powered peers, his recent publication may be viewed as a departure from this tradition.
“He proudly declared that he solved the Watergate crime, not the senators. They just copied and pasted his work.” – Woodward
This quote from Woodward reflects his confidence in his investigative achievements, yet Comer's recounting of their conversation offers a rare glimpse into Woodward's current views. Despite Comer's account, Woodward has not publicly confirmed these statements.
The Bidens have consistently denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that the accusations are baseless. In response to the ongoing allegations and Comer's upcoming publication, they continue to challenge the validity of claims tied to conspiracy theories.