Demand for Investigation Allegations to Minister of Justice
TV Debate Expected to Feature Attack Card
[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. President Donald Trump has launched the 'Ukraine scandal' involving Hunter, son of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, as a last-minute gambit in the election.
President Trump is campaigning at Erie Airport in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, where his approval rating is rising, on the 20th. [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]
It is highly likely that Trump will attack Biden over this issue again in the final TV debate held on the 22nd before the election. Attention is focused on whether the situation will repeat itself, similar to the FBI investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's email case that surfaced just before the 2016 election and shook the election outcome at the last moment.
On the morning of the 20th (local time), President Trump stated in an interview with Fox News, "Attorney General William Barr should launch an investigation into Hunter." Trump emphasized that "AG Barr must act swiftly" and appoint someone responsible for the investigation. Since the U.S. Attorney General also serves as the chief prosecutor, this is interpreted as a demand for a special prosecutor's investigation in effect.
The political media outlet The Hill reported, "Trump's remarks came after Republican House members last week requested AG Barr to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate," calling it "a rare effort by a president to pressure government officials to investigate a political rival's family for election purposes."
During a campaign rally the previous day, President Trump mentioned that AG Barr had not investigated Biden and called him "a very good and fair person," indirectly demanding the start of an investigation. However, he made a more assertive demand just one day later. Trump also emphasized the need for the FBI to investigate Hunter the day before. That evening, at a rally held at Erie Airport in Pennsylvania, Trump continued his offensive by asking, "Where is Hunter?"
Recently, the pro-Trump New York Post reported, based on emails found on a laptop discovered at a computer repair shop, that Hunter helped arrange meetings between his father and executives of Burisma Holdings, the Ukrainian gas company he was involved with during Joe Biden’s vice presidency. The report claimed this as the 'smoking gun' of Hunter's corruption.
President Trump’s emphasis on the 'Hunter scandal' stems from his judgment that it is a key issue that could shake the election outcome in the final stages. Although the credibility of the report has been questioned, U.S. media predict that Trump will actively bring up the Hunter scandal during the TV debate. Although the debate topics have already been set, it is certain that Trump will link Biden and Hunter in the debate, disparaging them regardless of the facts, even if the moderator tries to stop him. Fox News reported that the FBI has secured Hunter’s laptop and that the Department of Justice and FBI assess that this controversy is not the result of Russian interference, lending support to Trump’s claims.
There is also speculation that Attorney General Barr might launch an investigation into the Hunter scandal. The British daily The Guardian forecasted that it is doubtful whether Barr will order an investigation before the election but noted, "Since he is often loyal to President Trump, the possibility of a sudden investigation cannot be ruled out." Conservative media outlets such as Fox News are already referring to the investigation into Hunter as an 'October surprise' that could shake the election.
Biden has labeled Trump’s claims as a "dirty election campaign" and is refraining from further responses. He is focusing solely on preparing for the TV debate on the 22nd and has been keeping a low profile. However, on the 21st, a day before the debate, former President Barack Obama is scheduled to visit Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to hold a 'drive-in' rally to provide side support. This will be Obama’s first on-site campaign rally for this election.
In battleground states that will decide the election outcome, President Trump continues to narrow the gap with Biden. Trump’s pursuit is particularly notable in Pennsylvania, Florida, North Carolina, and Ohio. Florida and Pennsylvania have 29 and 20 electoral votes respectively, accounting for half of all battleground states. Winning these areas could be a decisive stepping stone to victory in the presidential election.
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