President Joe Biden was warned by the White House Counsel’s office against giving tours of the Oval Office to big donors, according to several sources.
Despite this warning, Biden has reportedly been hosting private lunches and has held around a half-dozen meetings at the White House with big donors, in order to reassure them about his plan to defeat former President Donald Trump in the upcoming 2024 presidential election, several sources told the Washington Post.
The meetings were reportedly organized by Jeffrey Katzenberg, the co-chairman of Biden’s campaign and a longstanding fundraiser for the Democratic Party, according to the outlet. Topics that were discussed ranged from Trump, the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, and abortion rights for women.
Andrew Bates, White House deputy press secretary, explained to Axios that while it was normal “for any president, regardless of party” to have donors and supporters at the White House, the White House Counsel’s office was on edge regarding donors being given tours of the Oval Office.
In response to the concerns, Biden stopped giving tours, though the meetings and meals with donors have continued.
“President Biden and his team take all rules concerning the White House and re-elections seriously, and we’re proud of that,” Bates told the outlet.
While holiday parties, state dinners, and even visits to the White House bowling alley are allowed, “there are certain rooms in the White House, particularly in the residence that are not covered under the Hatch Act,” Kedric Payne, the ethics director with the Campaign Legal Center, told the outlet.
“The president is allowed to legally meet with and entertain donors at the White House,” Payne explained. “But you cannot give campaign contributions or solicit for campaign contributions while in the White House.”
Biden’s age of 81 has raised concerns among voters and lawmakers in the Democratic Party regarding his ability to handle another term.