With the president's impeachment trial scheduled to begin Tuesday, Jan. 21, I would like to offer a theory about Hunter Biden's relevancy to the proceedings.

Hunter Biden, despite Rep. Elise Stefanik's belief to the contrary, is absolutely irrelevant to the proceedings.

And my theory is this: Hunter Biden, and his position on the Board of Directors of Barisma, has nothing to do with the president's impeachment, on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

What drew Biden into the president's sights was that he, Biden, beat the president's team to Ukraine energy.

What other reason could explain then-Secretary of Energy Rick Perry being among the gang of three that travelled to Ukraine? Since armaments were involved, why not the Secretary of Defense, and NATO commanders?

The jam the president finds himself in is about energy, has nothing to do with Ukranian corruption, and Biden, and by extension, all Democrats, beat the president to the deal.

Quite possibly, and I believe this to be true, Hunter Biden is on the Barisma board quite legitimately, and the president realizes that deal is gone.

The smear campaign has started, ridiculous in style and intent, but none the less, it has started, and will worsen, during the trial.

Brandon Amo

Potsdam