The White House is defending Hunter Bidenās big money art deals, and the secrecy around them, despite the situation causing a stir for ethics experts and others concerned about sales being used to funnel money.
Some Hunter Biden paintings are valued at $500,000 per piece, according to CBS News, and thatās in spite of the fact that the son of President Joe Biden is somewhat of a novice painter.
The situation has concerned even some Democrats. Former Obama administration director of the Office of Government Ethics, a man named Walter Shaub, told CNN on Friday that Hunterās career as an artist could create the āperfect mechanism for funneling bribes,ā and that the art industry is ānotorious for money laundering.ā
Considering Hunter Bidenās scandalous life, those concerns are certainly justified.
But White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Friday that the administration sees nothing wrong with Hunter Biden going into the art world ā an arena in which purchases can be both large and anonymous. The situation is concerning enough that a reporter brought it up during Psakiās daily media briefing.
āAnd I have a question on Hunter Bidenās artwork,ā a reporter asked the press secretary. āDid the White House play any role in crafting the sales agreement with the New York gallery to protect the ā the purchasers ā or the ultimate purchasersā identity?ā
Psaki instantly jumped to the defense of her bossās 51-year-old son.
āWell, I can tell you that after careful consideration, a system has been established that allows for Hunter Biden to work in his profession within reasonable safeguards,ā she said, according to a transcript of her remarks provided by the White House.
āOf course, he has the right to pursue an artistic career, just like any child of a President has the right to pursue a career.ā
āBut all interactions regarding the selling of art and the setting of prices will be handled by a professional gallerist, adhering to the highest industry standards. And any offer out of the normal course would be rejected out of hand,ā Psaki added.
With apparent intricate knowledge of Hunter Bidenās burgeoning art career, Psaki concluded her answer by explaining how sales of his works will be handled.
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āAnd the gallerist will not share information about buyers or prospective buyers, including their identities, with Hunter Biden or the administration, which provides quite a level of protection and transparency,ā she claimed.
Psakiās statements were met by suspicion by many who watched a clip of her remarks online.
Hunter Bidenās artwork is expected to go on sale later this year, CBS News reported.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.