Newly declassified records have surfaced showing that then-Vice President Joe Biden sought to suppress an intelligence report detailing concerns about his family’s business dealings in Ukraine. The documents, released by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, reveal that Biden allegedly pressured the agency to withhold the findings, which were ultimately buried until now.
The records, obtained during a CIA review of historical files, include an email dated February 10, 2016, indicating that Biden’s office “strongly preferred” the report not be shared. The intelligence in question highlighted Ukrainian officials’ perceptions of a “double standard” within the U.S. government regarding corruption and political power, linked to the Bidens’ alleged ties to business activities in Ukraine.
CIA officials confirmed the report was never disseminated beyond the agency, citing Biden’s explicit request. A senior CIA source described the action as “extremely rare and unusual,” noting the involvement of the White House in influencing intelligence dissemination for what appeared to be political reasons.
The documents emerged amid ongoing scrutiny of Biden’s relationships with Ukraine, including his 2015 threats to withhold $1 billion in aid unless Ukrainian prosecutor Viktor Shokin—investigating Burisma Holdings, where Biden’s son Hunter served on the board—was removed.
