FOLLOW US

Despite the battles for the previous four years to impeach former President Trump for allegedly breaking the emoluments clause, the Biden-Harris administration is also experiencing difficulty keeping family in line.

Profits and publicity have followed the members of the Biden and Harris families since the President and Vice President stepped onto the campaign trail.

Following Republican attacks, President-elect Joe Biden pledged that neither his family nor Harris' would profit from their service as president and vice president.

Do As I Say, Not As I Do

Unfortunately, the Biden-Harris administration's legal team needed to reach out to Meena Harris, niece of Vice President Kamala Harris, multiple times. Apparently, Meena Harris, 36 year old Harvard Law graduate, seems to be having difficulty navigating the loopholes of the emoluments clause.

After publishing a children's book, "Kamala and Maya's Big Idea" in June of 2020. This 'based on real life' story, soared to No. 4 on the New York Times Best Sellers list while rumors circulated that Joe Biden would tap Kamala Harris as his Vice President.

White House officials told Politico, Meena would be unable to publish similar books now because it uses Kamala’s name and likeness. Questions are circling regarding Meena's ability to continue drawing royalties for the book. She has refused to say if she still is.

After the inauguration, transition ethics lawyers told Meena she could not continue to sell a number of items for her clothing brand Phenomenal. A large quantity of items directly bared her aunt’s name: the "Kamala Harris Swimsuit," "phenomenal Kamala Tank," and  "Kamala T-shirt." These fall 2020 styles are no longer available.

Some of these items were created while Harris was in the news for attacking Justice Kavanaugh and POTUS.

Profit was clearly made off Senator Kamala, however, legal team members are busy drafting new ethics restrictions to side step the current profits rolling in, while Harris holds the title of VP.

Items labeled as in breech by the legal team are no longer listed on Meena's site, however new items were available for purchase, such as an MVP sweatshirt standing for 'Madam Vice President' and one with the phrase, "I'm speaking" alluding to Kamala's line during her debate with former Vice President Mike Pence.

After Biden picked Kamala as his running mate in August, Meena convinced the Biden team to sell a shirt in the campaign store bearing her name and that of fellow influencer Cleo Wade. The shirt read "THE FIRST BUT NOT THE LAST," alongside a picture of a young Kamala, referencing Kamala’s historical swearing-in as first female vice president.

The Biden campaign agreed, but by Sept. 6, Meena’s name had been removed as a collaborator, according to an internet archive dug up by Politico.

"For appearance sake, Meena’s name was removed because we didn’t want to make it seem or appear that she would be benefiting or profiting from the campaign," a White House official said.

https://twitter.com/AlexThomp/status/1355309298574831618?s=20

Biden Family Business as Usual

After members of President Biden’s family appeared to profit off his political sway during his years as senator and vice president, the White House has tried to distance itself from any further ethical violations.

"It's the White House's policy that the president's name should not be used in connection with any commercial activities to suggest or in any way, in any way they could reasonably be understood to imply his endorsement or support," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Friday.

https://twitter.com/JasonMillerinDC/status/1355734955431768064?s=20

President Joe Biden’s brother Frank promoted his relationship to the commander-in-chief in an Inauguration Day advertisement for the law firm he advises.

Frank Biden is a non-attorney senior advisor for the Berman Law Group. Its ad featuring Frank Biden was printed in the Jan. 20 edition of the Daily Business Review, which is also based in Florida.

The ad focuses on a lawsuit the firm is leading against a group of Florida sugar cane companies. It features a photo of Frank Biden, along with quotes regarding his relationship with the incoming president and the family name.

In an email to CNBC, Frank Biden said he has not used his brother’s name to gain clients.

“I have never used my brother to obtain clients for my firm. Our firm has long been involved [with] this lawsuit. Social justice is something I have been involved in for years,” Frank Biden said. “I will never be employed by any lobbyist or lobbying firm.”

It may be in the best interest of the new administration to be more transparent to the public after the years of shaming President Trump. It is becoming more and more clear that these hypocritical dealings are typical, but were expected to be swept under the rug by both Republican and Democrat constituents.