Who Is James Biden? President's Brother Comes Under Scrutiny

President Joe Biden's younger brother, James Biden, has come under scrutiny after Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley said the FBI "possesses significant and voluminous evidence" of potential criminal conduct by him and Hunter Biden, the president's son.

Grassley has sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, FBI Director Christopher Wray and U.S. Attorney for Delaware David Weiss outlining the allegations.

"Based on recent protected disclosures to my office, the FBI has within its possession significant, impactful and voluminous evidence with respect to potential criminal conduct by Hunter Biden and James Biden," Grassley wrote in the letter.

He cited a summary of an FBI interview with Hunter Biden's former business partner, Tony Bobulinski, in which Bobulinski stated that Hunter and James Biden created a business arrangement with foreign nationals connected to the Chinese government while Joe Biden was vice president.

That work "remained intentionally uncompensated while Joe Biden was vice president," Grassley said.

After he left office, the summary "makes clear that Hunter Biden and James Biden worked with CEFC and affiliated individuals to compensate them for that past work and the benefits," Grassley wrote, referring to the now-defunct CEFC China Energy company.

Hunter Biden, James Biden and their business associates "created a joint venture that would serve as a vehicle to accomplish that financial compensation," he added.

That joint vehicle was called SinoHawk, Grassley said, and it was owned 50 percent by Oneida Holdings LLC (Oneida) and 50 percent by Hudson West IV. According to the summary, Oneida comprised five evenly divided LLCs, one for each business associate, including Hunter Biden and James Biden.

On Twitter, Grassley questioned the response of the FBI and Justice Department.

"What hv the FBI and Justice Department, to include U.S. Attorney Weiss, done to investigate???" Grassley wrote. "Transparency brings accountability."

Republicans have pledged to investigate Biden and his family if they win a House majority in the November midterms, particularly Hunter Biden, whose history of drug abuse and an ongoing investigation into his tax affairs have made him a frequent target.

But Biden's younger brother is also likely to face increased scrutiny if Republicans triumph.

Many Americans are likely less familiar with James Biden. Both the president and Hunter Biden have spoken about their close relationship with him, and as recently as Sunday, the president described his brother, who goes by Jim and Jimmy, as "my best friend, my buddy."

James Biden has been by his brother's side at "nearly every critical juncture in Joe's personal and political life," ProPublica reported in 2020.

According to the article, he has been a nightclub owner, an insurance broker, political consultant and fundraiser, startup investor and construction company executive.

He has also been accused repeatedly of trading on Joe Biden's name to advance his business ventures.

The Washington Post described James Biden as a "protector" in the Biden family in a report earlier this year, calling him "the one who made sure the machinery ran while his brother soared."

The newspaper also reported that he has "walked up to ethical lines his brother has avoided," and has a history of business dealings that have sometimes resulted in lawsuits, recrimination or bankruptcy.

"I'm the guy who assists in everything. When it comes to my family I try to be as supportive as I can," James Biden told the Post.

"But this notion of 'the fixer,' or any reference that has a negative connotation, is offensive. The notion I am some underworld figure and I am a fixer or the cleaner or I'm this or that—I'm a very concerned family member who tries to protect my family in every way I can, in what is a very ethical way."

An attorney representing James Biden has been contacted for comment. The White House has been contacted for comment.