White House Press Secretary blew a fuse Friday when New York Post’s Steven Nelson drilled her about Hunter Biden’s relationships with Russian oligarchs and concerns that Biden is paying them special ‘attention’ while dishing out his sanctions.
“The New York Times reported this week that the First Son [Hunter Biden] remains under criminal investigation. Does the president still intend to stay out of that case?” Nelson asked.
“Yes,” Psaki replied. “It’s the Department of Justice and I would point you to them.”
Psaki was quick to blow him off but Nelson didn’t let it go.
“And my two questions about conflicts of interest in foreign affairs. First, I have a question about Russia and then one about China,” Nelson continued to press.
“On Russia: You told me last year that you were unfamiliar with the Senate report that alleged that the First Son — or a company linked to the First Son received $3.5 million from the richest woman in Russia. Subsequent reporting indicates that President Biden when he was Vice President, had a dinner in Georgetown with the same woman in 2015.”
Nelson noted that the woman has yet to face any of Biden’s sanctions…
“This — Yelena Baturina, she has not been sanctioned yet by the U.S. government. How is President Biden navigating conflicts of interest when it comes to sanctioning people who have done business with his family? And can you explain to us what this $3.5 million was for?” he asked.
.@NYPost's @StevenNelson10 to Psaki: "A company linked to [Hunter] received $3.5 million from the richest woman in Russia…Biden…had a dinner…w/the same woman in 2015…How is [he] navigating conflicts of interest[?]"
Psaki says she has no confirmation if that's true or not pic.twitter.com/F4gioUcUOK
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) March 18, 2022
“You didn’t say anything about the conflicts of interest, how he’s navigating those when deciding sanctions,” Nelson pressed again.
“What would be his conflicts of interest?” Psaki asked.
“Well, his son’s company allegedly got $3.5 million —” Nelson said, but Psaki interrupted, saying again that she could not confirm the report and was not sure that would constitute a conflict of interest anyway.
Psaki to @NYPost's @StevenNelson10: "Which I have no confirmation of and he has continued to sanction oligarchs, more than we have ever sanctioned in the past. I'm not sure" Hunter Biden's Russian business dealings are "a conflict of interest." pic.twitter.com/06gQsU5OSl
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) March 18, 2022
Nelson then moved on to Hunter Biden’s dealing in China. Little Biden claimed he is no longer in business there, but offered zero proof to that claim:
“We have received not even basic transparency about who bought out his stake, when this happened, and how much money changed hands. Did he actually divest? And if so, can you agree to basic transparency?” Nelson asked.
“He’s a private citizen. He doesn’t work for the government. I’d point you to his representatives,” Psaki replied.
“But there’s a blaring conflict of interest for his father’s role as President, dealing with China,” Nelson objected.
“I think we’re done here,” Psaki shot back. “Thank you very much.”
.@NYPost's @StevenNelson10: Hunter's "attorney said…he divested from a Chinese investment fund. We have received not even basic transparency about who bought his stake, when this happened, & how much money changed hands. Did he…divest[?]"
Psaki says "he's a private citizen" pic.twitter.com/bCsYXDUt9R
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) March 18, 2022
You can watch the full back-and-forth below:
It looks like covering for the Biden mob is starting to wear on Pksaki. What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.
Erica Carlin is an independent journalist, opinion writer and contributor to several news and opinion sources. She is based in Georgia.
