Democrat ethics expert says Hatch Act doesn’t cover questionable cocaine, despite Biden campaign staff ‘high as a kite’
Experts expressed confusion regarding the Biden administration’s invocation of the Hatch Act when questioned about the ownership of the cocaine discovered at the White House. As of now, the identity of the individual responsible for the cocaine remains unknown, and the Biden administration has chosen not to address whether President Biden or his son, Hunter Biden, were the owners, despite the accusation made by former President Donald Trump.
During a press gaggle on Thursday, White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates was asked if the president could deny the claim made by Trump regarding the ownership of the cocaine found at the White House.
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Bates avoided addressing the question about former President Trump’s assertion that the Colombian bam-bam belonged to either the president or his son by invoking the Hatch Act. This legislation prohibits federal employees from discussing or utilizing federal resources for campaign purposes.
Bates stated, “I cannot provide a response to that due to the need to be cautious about the Hatch Act. However, I have observed a growing sense of frustration emanating from that particular direction, which I believe stems from the contrasting substantive policy records. “
On claims "the cocaine found in the White House had belonged to either the president or his son. Are you willing to say that that's not the case?"
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 6, 2023
Mid-level Biden staffer Andrew Bates: "I don't have a response to that because we have to be careful about the Hatch Act" pic.twitter.com/zuM30v5Fli
Bates proceeded to compare President Biden’s political record with that of his predecessor.
In response to Bates invoking the Hatch Act as a reason for not addressing the question, attorney Bradley P. Moss expressed confusion, stating to Fox News Digital, “Frankly, I don’t understand why Mr. Bates believes the Hatch Act is relevant in addressing that particular question.” Moss continued by suggesting that there could be other valid reasons for declining to respond, such as preserving the integrity of an ongoing investigation but referencing the Hatch Act appeared to be misplaced.
Richard Painter, a former ethics chief in the Bush administration and a previous Democratic candidate for Congress, informed Fox News Digital that he has provided lectures at the White House and written articles on the Hatch Act. However, Painter emphasized that the legislation “does not cover snorting cocaine.”
“What on earth does the Hatch Act have to do with cocaine?” Painter exclaimed in an email to Fox News Digital. “This is the most absurd use of the Hatch Act that I have ever encountered.”
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Painter further stated that even if someone associated with Biden’s campaign was “completely intoxicated,” the Hatch Act would not apply to the specific issue of cocaine.
Online users also strongly criticized the White House for evoking the Hatch Act as a means to avoid answering the question.
“Strange that Bates would pivot to the Hatch Act and not deny the question…” tweeted conservative communicator Steve Guest.
Odd that Bates pivots to the Hatch Act and doesn't deny the question… https://t.co/IqELjZ1ylY
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) July 6, 2023
Conservative journalist Jerry Dunleavy humorously remarked that Bates was alluding to the “infamous Hatch Act provision that forbids one from stating that White House cocaine does not belong to the president or his son.”
That famous Hatch Act provision which doesn’t allow you to say White House cocaine doesn’t belong to the president or his son https://t.co/bzpFxS7ZVw
— Jerry Dunleavy 🇺🇸 (@JerryDunleavy) July 6, 2023
“The Hatch Act?” conservative columnist Byron York wrote.
The Hatch Act? https://t.co/LYme5trxOu
— Byron York (@ByronYork) July 6, 2023
When approached for a response by Fox News Digital, Bates referred to his previous statement in which he categorized Trump’s remarks as a direct “comment from a declared candidate.”
In Las Vegas, where Hunter Biden was famously seen driving his Porsche in 2018, bookmakers have already started to take bets, speculating that Hunter is the likely individual behind the illicit drugs discovered at the White House.
One overseas sportsbook, BetOnline.ag, offers odds of +170 for Hunter Biden being the owner, positioning him as the most probable suspect among the listed options, which include humorous contenders scattered throughout the list.
Following behind with +800 odds is Travis Kelce, the tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, while “One of the Jonas Brothers” carries +1000 odds, and Angelina Jolie gathers +1400 odds. President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden find themselves at the bottom of the rankings, with odds of +15000 and +10000, respectively.
Another gambling website, Sportsbetting. ag, presents the same suspects and odds as BetOnline.ag, with Hunter Biden emerging as the clear favorite. Hunter, who witnessed Washington, D.C.’s Fourth of July fireworks from the White House, holds a prominent position in the odds.
Bovada, a sportsbook based in Costa Rica, offers slightly more favorable odds for Hunter. Their frontrunner at -400 odds is a “Tour Group Guest,” followed by Hunter at +200 odds. “Janitorial Staff” trails behind Hunter at +1000, with “Secret Service Special Agent” following at +2000.
Similar to the other platforms, Bovada incorporates outrageous contenders, including the fictional character Tony Montana from the 1983 movie “Scarface” at +50000 odds. Former President Trump is also listed at +5000 odds.
On Sunday, a member of the Secret Service discovered the cocaine in the West Wing of the White House, specifically in an area used by guests and staff. This incident resulted in the evacuation of the building and an emergency response. President Biden was not present at the time.