Democrats claim Biden shady business deals probe is a ‘total bust’ as they ramp up war with Republicans demanding his impeachment over ties to Hunter’s business

• ‘Chairman Comer ’s investigation has conclusively disproven the Republican allegations against President Biden,’ declared Rep. Jamie Raskin
•  Raskin claims the evidence gathered is a ‘total bust—an epic flop in the history of congressional investigations’ meant to distract from Trump ‘s legal woes 
• House Republicans are weighing a formal impeachment inquiry against the president 

By Morgan Phillips, U.S. Political Reporter For Dailymail.Com

Published: 13:40 EDT, 11 September 2023 | Updated: 14:22 EDT, 11 September 2023

British Airways and British Airways Holidays have launched their end-of-summer sale, offering flight and holiday savings for travel in both 2023 and 2024.

Running until 3 October, 2023, the sale features short and long-haul destinations, with highlights including European beach holidays from £219pp, New York city breaks from £499pp and Caribbean resort stays from £599pp.

British Airways Holidays says that it is offering ‘a wide range of enticing holiday packages for customers booking their flight and hotel together’.

Those jetting off to far-flung destinations in the Caribbean, says British Airways Holidays, ‘can enjoy week-long holidays to Tobago from £599pp, Barbados from £749pp and Antigua from £719pp’.

For European city break lovers, these start from £139pp for two nights, for flights and a hotel.

British Airways Holidays reveals that two-night breaks to Nice and Prague can be snapped up from £139pp, while customers can bag a seven-night holiday to the Algarve for £219pp.

For Brits looking to catch some winter sun close to home, they can soak it up in Mallorca for seven nights from £459pp on an all-inclusive basis, or Egypt for seven nights all-inclusive from £469pp.

Claire Bentley, Managing Director of British Airways Holidays, said: ‘We are excited to announce our holiday sale to popular travel destinations.

‘Whether you desire a quick getaway or a long-awaited trip to visit family and friends, we have offers to suit all. We remain dedicated to providing our customers with ample choices, flexibility, and value.’

Flight only

Travellers looking for transatlantic flight-only options can book return flights to New York from £333, Orlando from £373, Boston from £370, San Diego from £428 and Chicago from £419.

In addition, customers who book ‘World Traveller’ (BA’s name for long-haul economy) will have the option to upgrade to World Traveller Plus (premium economy) on selected routes for an extra £249 return.

Those who upgrade will enjoy wider seats and more legroom, two meals and complimentary bar service, priority boarding, more luggage allowance and a ‘stylish’ amenity kit made from recycled plastic bottles.

Executive Club members also have the option to save by paying with Avios, with examples including returns to New York from £173 + 36,000 Avios and Dubai from £179 + 62,500 Avios.

Those looking to travel in Club World (business class) can secure return flights to Dubai from £1,599, New York from £1,762 and Tel Aviv from £1,100.

Further information on the flight and holiday sale can be found at www.ba.com/sale.

British Airways Holidays deals, from Barbados to Boston via the Cote d’Azur

Caribbean

Barbados: Seven nights at the three-star Travellers Palm from £749pp on a room-only basis on selected dates in May 2024. Includes economy (World Traveller) return flights from London Heathrow Airport and 23kg luggage allowance. Book by visiting www.ba.com/barbados or calling 0344 493 0120.

Tobago: Seven nights at the three-star Shepherds Inn from £599pp on a B&B basis travelling on selected dates in May 2024. Includes economy (World Traveller) return flights from London Gatwick Airport and 23kg luggage allowance. Book by visiting www.ba.com/tobago or calling 0344 493 0120.

St Lucia: Seven nights at the three-star Bay Gardens Hotel from £739pp on a room-only basis travelling on selected dates in June 2024. Includes economy (World Traveller) return flights from London Gatwick Airport and 23kg luggage allowance. Book by visiting www.ba.com/stlucia or calling 0344 493 0120.

Aruba: Seven nights at the three-star Talk of The Town Hotel & Beach Club from £649pp on a room-only basis travelling on selected dates in June 2024. Includes economy (World Traveller) return flights from London Gatwick Airport and 23kg luggage allowance. Book by visiting www.ba.com/aruba or calling 0344 493 0120.

Middle East

Dubai: Three nights at the four-star Four Points by Sheraton Bur Dubai from £499 on a room-only basis travelling on selected dates in June 2024. Includes economy (World Traveller) return flights from London Heathrow Airport and 23kg luggage allowance. Book by visiting www.ba.com/dubai or calling 0344 493 0123.

Indian Ocean

Mauritius: Seven nights at the three-and-a-half-star Tropical Attitude from £849pp on a B&B basis travelling on selected dates in June 2024. Includes economy (World Traveller) return flights from London Gatwick Airport and 23kg luggage allowance. Book by visiting www.ba.com/mauritius or calling 0344 493 0778.

Europe

Prague: Two nights at the four-star Grand Majestic Plaza from £139pp on a room-only basis selected dates in January 2024. Includes economy (Euro Traveller) return flights from London Heathrow Airport and 23kg luggage allowance and accommodation. Book now: www.ba.com/prague or call 0344 493 0125.

Nice: Two nights at the three-star Monsigny Hotel Nice from £139pp on a room-only basis on selected dates in January 2024. Includes economy (Euro Traveller) return flights from London Heathrow Airport and 23kg luggage allowance. Book by visiting www.ba.com/nice or calling 0344 493 0125.

Egypt: Seven nights at the four-star Xperience Sea Breeze Resort from £469pp on a B&B basis on selected dates in January 2024. Includes economy (Euro Traveller) return flights from London Gatwick Airport and 23kg luggage allowance. Book by visiting www.britishairways.com/holidays or calling 0344 493 0125.

Greece: Seven nights at the five-star Ikos Oceania from £929pp on an all-inclusive basis on selected dates in April 2024. Includes economy (Euro Traveller) return flights from London Gatwick Airport and 23kg luggage allowance. Book by visiting www.ba.com/halkidiki or calling 0344 493 0125.

Malta: Seven nights at the five-star The Westin Dragonara Resort from £499pp on a room-only basis on selected dates in December 2023. Includes economy (Euro Traveller) return flights from London Gatwick Airport and 23kg luggage allowance. Book by visiting www.ba.com/malta or calling 0344 493 0125.

The US and Canada

Orlando: Seven nights at the three-star Ramada Plaza Resort and Suites International Drive from £499pp on a room-only basis travelling on selected dates in April and May 2024. Includes economy (World Traveller) return flights from London Gatwick Airport and 23kg luggage allowance. Book by visiting www.ba.com/orlando or calling 0344 493 0124.

New York: Three nights at the four-star Tempo by Hilton New York Times Square from £699pp on a room-only basis on selected dates in January and February 2024. Includes economy (World Traveller) return flights from London Heathrow Airport and 23kg luggage allowance. Book by visiting www.ba.com/new-york or calling 0344 493 0122.

Boston: Three nights at the four-and-a-half-star Fairmont Copley Plaza from £619pp on a room-only basis on selected dates in January and February 2024. Includes economy (World Traveller) return flights from London Heathrow Airport and 23kg luggage allowance. Book by visiting www.ba.com/boston or calling 0344 493 0122.

Toronto: Three nights at the four-star Chelsea Hotel Toronto from £559pp on a room-only basis on selected dates in January and February 2024. Includes economy (World Traveller) return flights from London Heathrow Airport and 23kg luggage allowance. Book by visiting www.ba.com/toronto or call 0344 493 0122.

San Francisco: Five nights at the four-star Hotel Abri from £699pp on a room-only basis on selected dates in February and March 2024. Includes economy (World Traveller) return flights from London Heathrow Airport and 23kg luggage allowance. Book by visiting www.ba.com/sanfrancisco or calling 0344 493 0122.

Hunter Biden‘s former business partner Devon Archer testified to Congress about the then-vice president Joe’s alleged involvement in foreign deals.

During his grilling on Monday, Archer revealed details of the 20 occasions he was on speakerphone or met in person with associates his son was in business with.

Archer also described how Hunter referred to his father as ‘my guy’, the influence of the Biden ‘brand,’ and used him to create the ‘illusion of access.’

In three hours of testimony, he told lawmakers that Joe Biden ‘brought the most value to the brand’. 

Hunter’s deals helped him rake in millions from countries including China, Kazakhstan and Ukraine.

On Thursday, the Republicans on the House Oversight Committee released the transcript in full. 

READ IT BELOW 

Hunter got a PORSCHE after bringing Joe to dinner with a Kazakh oligarch, Archer’s testimony reveals  

According to the full transcript of Hunter Biden’s ex-business partner Devon Archer’s testimony to Congress, Joe Biden’s ‘brand’ protected Burisma from ‘pressure’ and the then-vice president’s intimidating influence directly led to his son receiving huge sums of foreign money – and a $142,300 Porche.

After Archer’s closed-door testimony on Monday to the House Oversight Committee, Republicans said he revealed Joe was directly involved in Hunter’s shady dealings, while Democrats insisted the then-vice president’s involvement was innocent and focused on ‘niceties,’ not business.

According to the transcript obtained by DailyMail.com on Thursday, Archer testified that then-Vice President Joe Biden’s ‘brand’ protected Ukranian oil company Burisma because ‘people would be intimidated to mess with them.’

He confirmed that Hunter put Joe on speakerphone 20 times over a 10 year period, which was a ‘signal’ of ‘value.’

Hunter’s presence on Burisma’s board and access to his father’s ‘brand’ led to the company’s ‘longevity’ because they had the ‘capabilities to navigate D.C.,’ Archer said according to the transcript.

‘I think Burisma would have gone out of business if it didn’t have the brand attached to it. That’s my, like, only honest opinion,’ Archer continued.

Hunter’s best friend and business associate sat with him on Burisma’s board beginning in 2014. They also started Rosemont Seneca Partners, an investment advisory firm, together.

Archer confirmed to lawmakers that Joe sat and had dinner in-person on at least two occasions with Hunter and his foreign business partners, who then wired money almost immediately after to Biden-affiliated companies.

In the spring of 2014, Joe joined Hunter and a handful of his business partners for dinner at Cafe Milano in Washington, D.C., including Kenes Rakishev, Karim Massimov, Yelena Baturina and possibly Eric Schwerin.

Archer confirmed that Joe was present long enough to eat dinner with the group.

Following the dinner, $3.5 million was wired from Russian billionaire Yelena Baturina into Rosemont Seneca Thornton on February 14.

On April 22, $142,300 was wired into the Rosemont Seneca Bohai account from Kenes Rakishev, a businessman from Kazakhstan, who was also at the Cafe Milano dinner.

The payment was made as a gift to Hunter, who received an ‘expensive car.’

Archer told the committee ‘I believe it was a Fisker first and then a Porsche.’

Hunter took a picture himself while driving a Porsche at an incredible 172mph on a highway outside Las Vegas in 2018, according to pictures found on his abandoned laptop. It was not immediately clear if the Porsche gifted to Hunter by Rakishev was the same vehicle.

The then-vice president also sat in on another dinner with Hunter and his partners in 2015 at Cafe Milano, Archer confirmed.

He also said that Hunter Biden would refer to his father as ‘my guy,’ which Republicans noted following the closed-door testimony on Monday.

According to the transcript, Hunter as ‘getting paid a lot of money’ by Burisma and ‘wanted to show value’ by getting credit for Joe Biden’s Ukraine trip in 2014.

‘I can’t guide my father in what he’s going to do on this trip, but let’s get credit for it,’ Archer said Hunter was thinking by referring to his dad as ‘my guy.’

Exhibit 2 in the attachments also showed Hunter, on email as ‘Robert,’ writing to Archer in April 2014 saying ‘our guy needs to set himself up as the anti-Victor Pinchuk (coal and steel oligarch – pro Russian Yanukuvich supporter).

At the time, then-Vice President Joe Biden was leading the U.S. anti-corruption efforts abroad.

Questions had remained about why Archer decided to cooperate with the committee this week after he previously cancelled on the committee at least three times in recent weeks.

Archer, 48, was subpoenaed on June 12 by the House Oversight Committee, which is investigating Hunter’s businesses and whether he and other members of the Biden family improperly traded on their connections.

According to Archer’s opening statement in the transcript, he said ‘it’s been a long decade’ and his entire forties have been ‘mired in fighting the government.’

‘So I want to be cooperative now and maybe we can all be friends. So let’s take it from there,’ he told committee staff and lawmakers.

Archer is facing legal troubles of his own and is expected to go to prison shortly.

Republicans are claiming that President Joe Biden was involved in his son Hunter’s controversial foreign business deals, which allegedly spans 50 different countries, lawmakers said in a press conference on Thursday.

It comes one day after the GOP clinched 218 seats in the House of Representatives, cementing their majority – and investigative powers – in the next Congress.

The president has long denied involvement in and knowledge of his son’s foreign dealings – some of which are being investigated by federal authorities.

But Rep. James Comer accused Biden of being ‘chairman of the board’ of his family’s business dealings and even claimed the White House spent more than $250,000 to deflect negative stories about Hunter.

‘This is an investigation of Joe Biden,’ he said. ‘I think we’ve laid out the evidence as to why we feel it’s important, and we’re going to move forward with that.’

He said later, ‘We’re trying to stay focused on – was Joe Biden directly involved with Hunter Biden’s business deals, and is he compromised?’

Comer said he’d even like members of the Biden family to testify before the House when asked, but said the main focus of their probe right now was to access bank records.

‘As part of our investigation, we have evidence that the finances, credit cards, and bank accounts of Hunter and Joe Biden were commingled, if not shared,’ the Republican lawmaker said.

‘One of Hunter’s closest associates, Eric Schwerin, was accessing Joe Biden’s money and writing checks to reimburse Hunter.’ 

He said some accounts linked to the Biden family raised ‘red flags’ about ‘suspicious or illegal activity.’ 

At least one of those red flags, known as ‘SARs,’ allegedly ‘connects Hunter Biden and his business associates to international human trafficking, among other illegal activities,’ Comer said.

‘We have repeatedly called on the Biden Treasury Department to release additional financial documents to committee Republicans, but thus far Treasury has refused,’ the lawmaker said. ‘We want to know what the Biden administration has tried to hide from the American people and why they are not being transparent.’

Hunter ally Schwerin was reportedly head of the president’s son’s company and handed the majority of his finances – and appointed to a position within the Obama administration, when Joe Biden was vice president.

‘After an apparent falling out with Schwerin, Hunter began coordinating business himself – and increasingly the deals brought in Joe Biden as a direct equity holder,’ Comer said.

He claimed Hunter went a step further and tried to get these bank alerts quashed – allegedly with the help of a Clinton administration official.

Comer also took a swipe at more holistic coverage of the president’s son that puts Hunter’s questionable ethics into context with his battle against drug addiction.

‘Hunter Biden isn’t this guy who just got a bad rap because he’s got a drug problem,’ Comer said.

The lawmakers said a report detailing their investigation and evidence thus far – which appears to largely be made up of whistleblower testimony – would be forthcoming. 

The troubling scope of Hunter’s business dealings in Ukraine and China came to light when the New York Post, and subsequently DailyMail.com, authenticated the contents of a laptop hard drive purportedly belonging to the president’s only surviving son.

He received a lucrative salary while on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma, despite having no experience in the industry, while his father was vice president and leading a coalition to crack down on corruption there.

Emails recovered from the laptop also show Hunter discussing with associates the beginnings of a business deal in China – where one message discussing equity stakes carves out 10 percent ‘for the big guy.’

Republicans on Thursday alleged that ‘the big guy’ is the US president. 

‘At a time when Americans are suffering from high energy prices, because of this administration’s terrible energy policy, we find evidence that Hunter Biden and Joe Biden were involved in a scheme to try to get China to buy liquefied natural gas, and from a whistleblower, to try to get their foot in the door with China starting to purchase an interest in natural gas drillers,’ Comer said.

He presented as evidence a print-out of what he claimed was a slide show regarding the business deal that was found on Hunter’s laptop.

When pressed, however, Comer said the slide was likely from around 2017.

The Kentucky Republican would not say concretely how that is linked to today’s energy crisis when asked, but said: ‘I mean, Joe Biden says he’s gonna stand up to China.’

‘Joe Biden says he’s going to rewrite our whole energy policy…And he was a 10 percent equity owner in a company whose sole mission was to to purchase liquefied natural gas from the United States and try to take over the energy the natural gas industry in America through natural gas wholesalers and natural gas drillers,’ Comer said.

‘I mean, I don’t think Joe Biden has been honest American people about that.’

It’s worth noting that it’s not clear that the deal was ever finalized.