Jen Psaki says White House would like Hunter Biden to 'go away right now' and 'stop talking in public' after embattled first son gave speech outside Congress
- She said Sunday: 'Look, I think if you're sitting in the White House right now, you're like, 'Please, Hunter Biden... stop talking in public''
- 'This is not helpful to any of them for him to be out there,' Psaki added
- Comes after Hunter held a press conference outside the Capitol last week
President Joe Biden's former press secretary Jen Psaki said the White House wants Hunter Biden to 'stop talking in public.'
It comes after the president's son made remarks outside Congress last week saying he would not comply with a congressional subpoena for closed-door testimony. In the five-minute remarks he also defended the president against Republican investigations.
'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.' This is not helpful to any of them for him to be out there,' Psaki said during a discussion on NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday.
Hunter has caused a myriad of issues for President Biden – specifically regarding his sketchy foreign business dealings, but also with the release of images of him naked and doing drugs.
President Joe Biden's former press secretary Jen Psaki said Sunday: '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.' This is not helpful to any of them for him to be out there'
Hunter Biden spoke at a press conference outside the Capitol last week to explain he was refusing to comply with a congressional subpoena to testify behind closed doors – but said he will take quetions at a public hearing
While Psaki thinks it's time for Hunter to pack his bags and get out of public life for the sake of the president, she also feels Biden's devotion to his son and family could be an appeal to voters as he runs for reelection in 2024.
She specifically pointed to a comment from an NBC News focus group where a voter's one-word to describe Biden was 'family.'
'But, at the same time, the president loves his son,' Psaki said. 'That takes precedent over anything else. That is appealing.'
'I'm thinking of the woman in your focus group who talked 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.'
The focus group participant said: 'Honestly, it doesn't have to do with politics. Family. When I think of him, I think he cares a lot about his family.'
Others used words like 'tired,' 'out of it' and 'status quo.'
Hunter Biden gave a short press conference on Capitol Hill on Wednesday in defiance of Republican-led committees subpoenaing him for closed-door testimony as they investigate the president.
The White House said that President Biden was 'familiar' with Hunter's statement before he made it.
Hunter agreed he would provide public testimony but not testify behind closed doors.
Republicans immediately jumped on his refusal to show up, claiming that if the likes of Donald Trump Jr. were to do the same, he would be facing charges.
Pictured:L Hunter Biden holds son Beau Biden Jr. as they leave a restaurant in Wilmington, Delaware on Monday
