The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has postponed the release of records from President Joe Biden’s time as vice president, which include communications with his son Hunter Biden and his brother James Biden.

These records, sought after through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, will not be made public until Nov. 6, 2024 -- the day following the 2024 U.S. presidential election, and the timing of the release has ignited controversy, with critics suggesting that the delay in releasing the Biden emails may be politically motivated, as the Daily Wire reports.

The records were initially requested by America First Legal (AFL), a conservative legal group, in August 2022 and concern business dealings involving Hunter Biden.

AFL filed a lawsuit in September 2022 after NARA declined to comply with their FOIA request. AFL is seeking access to emails exchanged during Joe Biden's tenure as vice president, particularly those related to business activities involving his son Hunter and brother James.

NARA informed AFL that the release of these records, originally expected earlier, would be deferred to Nov. 6, 2024. This decision followed requests by President Biden’s legal representatives, as well as lawyers for former President Barack Obama, citing the Presidential Records Act.

Conservative Group Seeks Business-Related Emails

America First Legal has been vocal in its pursuit of the records, claiming that the communications could reveal details of potentially embarrassing business dealings.

AFL asserts that the emails involve interactions with James Biden and Rosemont Seneca, a consulting firm connected to Hunter Biden, which has previously drawn scrutiny due to its international dealings. Additionally, the group argues that the records might contain information about then-Vice President Biden’s financial disclosures from 2015.

The group's vice president, Dan Epstein, expressed frustration with the delay, stating that NARA has unfairly complied with requests from Obama and Biden to push back the release of the records. Epstein voiced concern that these records could expose ties between the Biden family and Rosemont Seneca, as well as potential profits linked to the Ukrainian energy company Burisma.

Legal Challenges Amid Election Season

The lawsuit filed by AFL against NARA highlights the ongoing legal battles surrounding the Biden family’s business dealings. AFL has questioned the transparency of the current administration, noting that the documents have been under review since June 2024. The group argues that the decision to delay the release until after the election indicates political motivations, accusing the Biden administration of attempting to prevent the disclosure of damaging information before voters head to the polls.

AFL has raised concerns over the use of personal email accounts for official business by then-Vice President Biden, a practice that could raise further ethical and legal questions. The group also suggests that Hunter Biden’s role in the business dealings should have required him to register as a foreign agent under U.S. law. However, no evidence has been publicly disclosed to confirm these claims.

Timeline Of Events Leading To Controversy

The timeline of events surrounding the records request dates back to August 2022, when AFL first submitted the FOIA request. After months of waiting without a response, AFL initiated legal action in September 2022, accusing NARA of failing to meet its legal obligations under FOIA. Since then, the case has drawn attention from both sides of the political spectrum, with some viewing the delay as an effort to protect President Biden from potential political fallout.

The Presidential Records Act, invoked by the Biden and Obama legal teams, allows for the withholding of certain records related to a president’s time in office. However, AFL has argued that this statute is being used to obscure potentially damaging information until after the election, raising questions about transparency and accountability.

Calls For Transparency Continue

As the 2024 election approaches, the delay has become a point of contention among critics of the Biden administration.

AFL’s mission statement, which includes fighting against “lawless executive actions and the Radical Left,” suggests that the organization sees the delay as part of a broader issue of government overreach and lack of accountability. The group continues to press for the release of the records, arguing that the public deserves access to the information before casting their votes.

Meanwhile, Biden’s legal team has defended the decision, citing legal procedures and the need to protect sensitive information during the review process. Despite this, AFL maintains that the delay is an attempt to avoid political embarrassment, particularly concerning Hunter Biden’s involvement in foreign business ventures.

Conclusion: Release Date Raises Questions

The decision to delay the release of Hunter Biden-related emails until after the 2024 election has sparked significant debate. America First Legal continues to challenge the delay, arguing that the public has a right to know about the Biden family's business dealings prior to the election.

On the other side, Biden's legal team stands by their request for the postponement, citing the Presidential Records Act as a legal justification.

As the election nears, the controversy surrounding the release of these records is unlikely to fade, with both sides gearing up for continued legal and political battles in the coming months.