Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki claimed the White House would probably like Hunter Biden to “stop talking in public” at the moment.
During a roundtable discussion on NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” moderator Kristen Welker asked Psaki whether Hunter Biden’s decision to skip showing up to testify for a closed-door deposition before House Republicans and instead hold a press conference outside of the Capitol hurt or helped the White House.
“Look, I think if you’re sitting in the White House right now, you’re like, ‘Please, Hunter Biden, we know your dad loves you. Please, stop talking in public,” Psaki answered.
JUST IN: Former Biden Press Secretary Jen Psaki (@jrpsaki) a.k.a. 'Circle Back' says the White House would want Hunter Biden to "stop talking in public” and to "probably go away right now." WATCH pic.twitter.com/TY1ss5Zddh
— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) December 17, 2023
“This is not helpful to any of them for him to be out there,” Psaki added. “But, at the same time, the President loves his son. That takes precedent over anything else. That is appealing. I’m thinking of the woman in your focus group who talks about family. He loves his son, he loves his family. He’s worried about his mental health, but yes, the White House would like him to probably go away right now.”
On Wednesday, Hunter Biden defied a subpoena from the House Oversight Committee to sit for a closed-door deposition.
During his press conference, he, however, offered to testify in an open hearing for House Republicans impeachment inquiry.
“I’m here today to make sure the House committees’ illegitimate investigations of my family do not proceed on distortions, manipulated evidence, and lies,” Hunter Biden said during his press conference.
In response to his defiance, House Republicans have promised to hold him in contempt.