WATCH: Entire CNN Panel Pushes Back After Former Biden Official Covers For Her Boss

Former Biden administration official Kate Bedingfield faced pushback after attempting to justify the cancellation of a White House press briefing following the conviction of Hunter Biden. The jury found the president’s son guilty on three felony counts related to purchasing a firearm while an active drug user. The verdict, delivered after only three hours of deliberation on Tuesday, adds a dramatic twist to the political narrative just months before Election Day.

Bedingfield, a former White House Communications Director, argued that it was standard practice to cancel briefings following significant presidential remarks. “Well, it’s not uncommon to cancel the briefing after the president gives a significant set of remarks… your aim during the day is to try to get the press to cover the things you want them to cover.” However, her explanation did not go unchallenged.

Shermichael Singleton, a Republican strategist, countered, “I love my dear friend Kate here, but we know why it was canceled: because they don’t want to deal with questions about the verdict… It’s okay to say, ‘look this is a difficult time for the president right now.'”

Gloria Borger, also part of the CNN panel, pointed out the implications of the cancellation. “This is different because he’s been convicted,” she argued, suggesting that the usual communications strategies might not suffice under the current circumstances. Borger speculated that the administration was likely delaying a response until they could formulate a clear messaging strategy, possibly until “the president perhaps goes to Wilmington and discusses it with the family.”

WATCH:

'We Know Why It Was Cancelled': CNN Panel Pushes Back When Former Biden Admin Official Spins Press Briefing Cancellation pic.twitter.com/iMnLD2tRCt

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) June 11, 2024

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However, Bedingfield insisted that the decision was in line with typical communications strategy, saying that the focus should remain on presidential achievements rather than the legal troubles of Hunter Biden, who is not an elected official.

Tuesday’s landmark verdict marked the first time a member of a sitting president’s immediate family has been convicted of a crime, though the offenses took place before Biden’s presidency. Hunter now faces a potential maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and a $750,000 fine according to CNN. However, as a first-time offender, it’s anticipated that he will receive a lighter sentence. The judge indicated that sentencing would typically be scheduled within 120 days of the verdict, meaning it could occur before the upcoming Election Day in November.

Hunter reacted to the verdict expressing mixed emotions in a statement. “I am more grateful for the love and support of my family than I am disappointed by the outcome,” he said. He also reflected on his personal journey, adding, “Recovery is possible by the grace of God, and I am blessed to experience that gift one day at a time.”

“As I said last week, I am the President, but I am also a Dad,” Joe Biden said in a statement today. “Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today. So many families who have had loved ones battle addiction understand the feeling of pride seeing someone you love come out the other side and be so strong and resilient in recovery.”

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