The White House faced a second day of questions on Tuesday after President Joe Biden’s embattled son Hunter — who had just days earlier agreed to a plea deal on tax-related charges — was seen rubbing elbows with Washington’s political elite at a state dinner over the weekend.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had flatly refused to discuss the president’s decision to have his son there — and also refused to say whether or not the White House had put any safeguards in place, given the fact that Hunter remains under investigation for his alleged role in a corruption scheme trading on his father’s name and position.
At Tuesday’s briefing, handled by Deputy Press Secretary Olivia Dalton, Hunter Biden was still a trending topic — and Fox News White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich pressed Dalton about the optics of the president’s decision to allow Hunter continued access to such events.
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“What message is the president trying to send to the American people when he invites his son to the state dinner and Camp David as we saw this past weekend amid everything he’s going through?” Heinrich asked.
“Every President of the United States has invited their family to the state dinner,” Dalton replied, suggesting that even with Hunter Biden’s legal troubles and the ongoing investigation into corruption involving foreign nationals, President Biden inviting him was no different than any previous presidents including their family members on the guest list at state dinners. “This president also has a family. He is no different. And beyond that, I’m just not going to engage on this.”
Referencing a statement made by former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki — who said that having Hunter at the state dinner had been a questionable decision with regard to optics — Heinrich continued.
“Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki acknowledged that, optically, that might not have been easier for the White House. Can you elaborate on that at all?” Heinrich asked. “The decision to invite the president’s son amid everything he’s going through and what challenges that poses for this White House to explain?”
“Like every other administration, like every other president, this president has a family,” Dalton insisted, arguing once again that what Biden had done was “no different” than other presidents inviting family members to similar affairs.
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