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WASHINGTON – White House press secretary Jen Psaki got angry on Wednesday when reporters pressed her on ethical issues raised by an appointed ambassador attending an art exhibition for Hunter Biden.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, President Biden’s candidate for ambassador to India, attended an event Friday night in Hollywood for the first son-turned-novice artist, who is seeking up to $ 500,000 for his early works of art. art.
“Should we expect to see more people seeking employment in this administration attend events like this in the future? CBS News Radio reporter Steven Portnoy asked Psaki during his daily press briefing.
Portnoy noted that ethicists “have expressed concern that the president’s art-selling son” may involve “people seeking jobs in this administration or favors from this administration.”
Psaki cited a month-old White House defense of art sales – but reporters pressed her with follow-up questions. The White House has said art sales will be anonymous, making influence peddling impossible.
“Well, to be clear, we talked about the arrangement managed by the gallerist and representatives of Hunter Biden for which the White House has provided suggestions. I refer to the gallery owner for questions about the event as well as to Mr. Garrcetti’s representatives in terms of attendance, ”said Psaki.
Portnoy, who is president of the White House Correspondents Association, urged Psaki: “But just to follow through, this is exactly what ethicists said they were worried about.”
“What is it exactly? That he would have attended an event? Psaki said.
Portnoy replied: “That the president’s son would sell works of art and then potentially meet people who would be looking to buy them.” If you have participants who might be looking for jobs in this administration or favors in this administration, isn’t that an embarrassing situation for the president? ”
Psaki responded, “Again the gallery owner spoke, we talked about the details that the gallery agreed to and the recommendations that were made. I have done this several times. I don’t have any further details for you from here. I will point them out to you.
But Psaki was not done pushing questions about the art exhibition, whose list of attendees was first published by left-wing publication Mother Jones.
ABC News reporter Cecilia Vega picked up on Portnoy’s line of questioning.
“Does this White House have no concerns about the photos that have emerged showing Hunter Biden in this gallery alongside potential buyers?” asked Vega.
Psaki said: “I will direct you to the gallery owner on the details of the restrictions that have been put in place.”
The TV reporter persisted: “Okay, but what about the position of this White House and the president who ran on transparency?”
Psaki said on the defensive: “We have been very transparent about the recommendations made to the gallery owner. And I would point you back to them or the many times I’ve talked about it from here.
The ties between Elder Biden and his son’s business ventures are often murky.
Hunter Biden still owns a 10% stake in a Chinese investment fund formed with public entities, according to recent reports. The company was formed just 12 days after the then second son joined his vice-president father aboard Air Force Two for an official trip in 2013 to Beijing.
According to a report released on Wednesday, Biden is preparing to host a virtual summit this year with Chinese President Xi Jinping despite the lingering conflict of interest.
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