The concept of the power of fame and prestige is a well-known phenomenon that is universal across cultures and societies. Individuals who achieve fame and influence during their lifetime create a lasting legacy that extends beyond their lifetime, often including the potential to accumulate wealth for their heirs. While having a famous patriarch can provide advantages, not all descendants of prominent individuals automatically become successful or wealthy. The descendants’ efforts, decisions, and talents also play a significant role in determining their outcomes. The recent scrutiny surrounding the business dealings of Hunter Biden, son of former Vice President Joe Biden, now President, has raised questions about the ethical implications of his actions. Republicans have alleged that Hunter Biden used his father’s influence to secure lucrative business deals with Chinese and Ukrainian oligarchies, resulting in significant gains. Hitherto, Republicans also alleged that Vice President Biden, at the time, used his influence to oust a Ukrainian prosecutor investigating Burisma and its directors, including his son Hunter Biden, for fraud. However, independent global sources have revealed that Vice President Biden was not the only government envoy advocating for removing Victor Shokin, the prosecutor in question, due to his corruption. Numerous European allies were also pushing for his ouster. Furthermore, Republicans accused President Biden of taking a bribe or discussed taking it on the phone regarding his son’s business. These allegations are concerning and raise questions about the fairness and transparency in government. However, there is no evidence to support this claim. As of now, these allegations remain unproven accusations against President Biden. Recent statements from a few Republicans in Congress have also acknowledged the lack of evidence to prove allegations against the Bidens. The Justice Department began an investigation under the Trump administration in 2018, led by David Weiss, the former US attorney for Delaware. Over several years, Weiss and his team interviewed witnesses and examined financial documents to scrutinize Biden’s involvement in foreign enterprises, particularly his position on the Ukrainian energy company Burisma board. The investigation focused on two main issues. Firstly, it revealed that Hunter Biden had failed to pay income taxes on time. However, it is essential to note that Hunter Biden rectified this situation by paying the back taxes in 2021, following the opening of the investigation. The probe also uncovered a charge related to lying on a firearm application form. Doing business in foreign countries as a Biden is not inherently a crime. However, there can be ethical concerns if there is evidence of influence peddling, corruption, or other wrongdoing. If the Bidens committed a crime in pursuing such business, they must face commensurate legal remedy irrespective of their social status. For this reason, I urge the Republicans to either prove their allegations against the Bidens beyond a reasonable doubt or to refrain from making baseless accusations altogether. If the Republicans can substantiate their claims with hard evidence, then the Bidens must face the legal and political consequences squarely. But if the Republicans cannot provide proof to support their accusations, they must stop spreading falsehoods henceforth. It’s time for the grandstanding and gamesmanship to end in Congress. Only by upholding the principles of truth, integrity, and evidence-based decision-making can we ensure a healthy and robust democracy for future generations. Republicans have spent significant time investigating the Bidens instead of focusing on the issues that affect all Americans. We urge them to stop fixating on this issue and start prioritizing the needs of the people they were elected to serve. It’s time to put politics aside and work together to address our nation’s critical challenges. These tit-for-tat or revengeful actions are dangerous for our democracy. Our democracy is fragile and can be easily undermined by divisive tactics and false narratives. We must prioritize evidence-based discourse and refrain from baseless accusations that only serve to divide us further. Therefore, a word is enough for the wise! Please tell us your thoughts below. Written by: Nicholas A. Owoyemi President, Author & Social Advocate Moderate Voices of America 30 Wall Street, 8th Floor New York, New York 10005 212 406-1958 www.moderatevoices.org. | 