'Access denied': Biden's free vacation at friend's California mansion draws ire of critics

President Biden aims to create a binding ethical code for Supreme Court justices, but he has faced criticism over his own potential conflicts of interest, such as his connection with friend and major donor Joe Kiani.

After delivering his speech at the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Biden and his family flew to Santa Ynez, California, to spend time at Kiani's ranch-style estate. According to White House officials, Kiani is a "friend" and the first family is staying there for free, as reported by the New York Post.

Kiani has given Biden's super PAC, foundation, and inaugural committee nearly $3 million, according to House Republicans who have raised concerns about their relationship. Meanwhile, in September 2021, Kiani was appointed by Biden to sit on his Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, which advises the executive branch on policy matters related to Kiani's medical tech business, Masimo. Since Biden took office in January 2021, Masimo has received nearly $3 million in federal contracts, according to Republicans.

In 2022, Kiani was granted access to trans-Atlantic business officials and other global elites, in addition to his appointment, as reported by the Post. The outlet stated that he received tickets from Biden to attend a state dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The revelation of the first family's vacation at Kiani's ranch coincides with the Democrats' efforts to reform the Supreme Court, such as enforcing an ethics code for justices and imposing term limits. These initiatives were prompted by Justice Clarence Thomas' ties to Republican Party donor Harlan Crow.

Thomas, who considers Crow a cherished friend, has faced criticism for vacationing with him and accepting gifts from him.

The White House and the U.S. Office of Government Ethics did not respond to Planet Chronicle Digital's requests for comment.

Michael Chamberlain, director of the conservative nonprofit Protect the Public's Trust, stated that the administration claims to be the most ethical and transparent in history.

"The EPA under the Biden-Harris administration is already distributing billions of dollars to organizations with links to the administration and its political allies. This pattern is now being repeated with a donor who has business dealings with the government. It appears that this is how things are done in this administration."

In April 2022, a group of 12 House Republicans wrote to Shalanda Young, the head of the federal government's Office of Management and Budget, expressing concerns about Biden's relationship with Kiani. They wanted to ensure that political donations were not influencing the administration's management of contracts and loans.

Biden's relationships with other major Democratic Party leaders have also been subject to scrutiny, in addition to his relationship with Kiani.

A year ago, billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer hosted the Biden family at his Lake Tahoe mansion. Steyer's green energy investment fund is leveraging federal climate change spending from Biden's Inflation Reduction Act to seize opportunities.

In April, the Center for Renewing America, a conservative nonprofit, filed an ethics complaint with the Department of Justice against President Biden, accusing him of "serious ethical lapses" for failing to disclose free vacations that do not meet certain exemptions under the Ethics in Government Act (EIGA). The complaint lists at least four questionable vacations taken by Biden and his family, including the trip to Lake Tahoe.

The complaint also mentions other trips, such as a visit to the South Carolina beachfront mansion of Democratic Party donor Maria Allwin, a stay in Nantucket at private equity founder David Rubenstein's $39 million mansion, and a New Year's trip to Bill and Connie Neville's private island property in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Nevilles were invited to a 2015 state dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping and in December 2022, they were White House guests, attending a state dinner with Macron.

Kendra Arnold, executive director of the nonprofit Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust, stated that Biden's visit to Kiani's mansion supports the widely held belief that those who donate large sums of money to politicians receive exclusive access and privileges that are not accessible to others.

"If there is a circular relationship that appears beneficial, it is hard to believe that there has not been increased access granted. Our elected officials are advised to avoid the appearance of conflicts of interest, and President Biden has not followed this rule in this case."