Presidential candidate Pete ButtigiegPete ButtigiegScaled-back Pride Month poses challenges for fundraising, outreach Biden hopes to pick VP by Aug. 1 It’s as if a Trump operative infiltrated the Democratic primary process MORE said in a new interview that he would have opposed his son serving on the board of a Ukrainian company while he engaged in foreign policy matters, a reference to the controversy involving his 2020 rival Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE and unfounded allegations of corruption leveled against the former vice president.
“I would not have wanted to see that happen,” Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Ind., told The Associated Press when asked about Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden serving on the board of Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian gas company, while Joe Biden served as vice president in the Obama administration.
Buttigieg added that his administration would have “a very high standard around ethics and making sure we do everything we can to prevent even the appearance of a conflict.” But he also argued that the issues surrounding Biden are designed to “divert attention from what’s really at stake in the impeachment process,” which is centered on President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE’s request that Kyiv announce an investigation into the Bidens as well as one into unfounded claims of Ukrainian election interference.
ADVERTISEMENT
There is no evidence that suggests Hunter Biden was involved in any impropriety while working with Burisma. There is also no evidence that Joe Biden worked in his son’s interests while pressuring Ukraine to oust a top prosecutor in the country.
“There’s been no allegation, let alone finding, of wrongdoing [involving Joe Biden],” Buttigieg said. “I think it’s the wrong conversation to be having right now, though, given the spectacular misconduct that we have already seen in facts that are not in dispute, where the only argument to be had is over whether it rises to the level of removal.”
The House earlier this month voted to impeach the president on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of a congressional inquiry over his dealings with Ukraine.
Joe Biden’s campaign declined to comment to the AP and The Hill.
The criticism is a shift for Buttigieg, who in the past has refused to criticize Biden for his son’s role at the Ukrainian energy company.
Click Here: los jaguares argentinaADVERTISEMENT
In an interview with the Associated Press from September, Buttigieg called questions about Hunter Biden’s role “what-about-ism” and insisted that the focus should be on Trump’s behavior toward Ukraine.
Buttigieg has also defended Hunter Biden and argued that Democrats should not allow Trump and the Republicans to muddy the waters.
“Here you have Hunter Biden stepping down from a position in order to make sure even though there’s been no accusation of wrongdoing, doing something just to make sure there’s not even the appearance of conflict of interest,” Buttigieg told CNN.
“While in the White House, the president of the United States is a walking conflict of interest,” he added.
The new criticism underscores the high stakes the candidates face with the Iowa caucuses only 34 days away. Biden and Buttigieg are fighting for the centrist mantle among Democrats, while Sens. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.) battle for the progressive vote.
ADVERTISEMENT
Polls find Buttigieg with only a narrow lead over Biden, Sanders and Warren in the Hawkeye State.
Buttigieg is working to separate himself from Biden, the Democratic national polling front-runner. Buttigieg has offered more forceful criticism in recent weeks, including over his positions on the Iraq War.
The South Bend mayor, 37, said on Sunday that Biden’s support for the war was an “example of why years in Washington is not always the same thing as judgment.”
“He supported the worst foreign policy decision made by the United States in my lifetime, which was the decision to invade Iraq,” he said in response to a question about how his foreign policy experience measured up to his Democratic primary opponents during an appearance on “Iowa Press.”
—Updated Tuesday at 11:08 a.m.