Who Pays for the Secret Service's 16,000 Dollar Malibu Stakeout of Hunter? Jean-Pierre: 'A Question for the Secret Service' (August 28, 2023)

Fox News’ Peter Doocy came back to the White House briefing room with questions about Hunter Biden’s new life in Malibu. “The Secret Service is paying $16,000 a month now to stage near Hunter Biden in Malibu. Who’s paying for that?” he asked [1][2].

“That’s a question for the Secret Service,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre answered [1].

Doocy kept going, through Hunter’s art sales and the sworn testimony of his former business partner. Again and again, the answer was the same: “That is a question for Hunter Biden and his representatives” [1].

The video above shows the exchange from the Aug. 28, 2023, White House briefing. Quotes are from the official transcript published by the American Presidency Project [1].

”Welcome Back”

The turn started warmly. “I’ve missed you. Welcome back,” Jean-Pierre told Doocy, and asked about his new baby. “She — she’s good,” he said. “Just like adult KJP,” he joked, drawing laughter [1].

”$15,800 a Month”

Doocy turned to how Hunter was paying the bills. “Hunter Biden is reportedly selling art to pay for his $15,800 a month rent in Malibu. How can you guarantee that people are not going to be buying this art to gain favor with the President?” he asked [1].

“That is a question for Hunter Biden and his representatives,” Jean-Pierre said. Doocy called it a question “of ethics at the White House.” “I hear your question,” she replied [1].

“We know that one of the art buyers got a job from the Biden administration. Can you guarantee that there is no —” Doocy began, before finishing: “quid pro quo?” “I’m not going to get involved in this. That is a question for Hunter Biden’s representatives,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

”What Is the Biden Brand?”

Doocy then raised the testimony of Devon Archer, Hunter’s former business partner. “We know that from a Hunter Biden associate now that he sold the appearance of access to then-Vice President Biden. Are you confident that he has stopped doing that?” he asked [1].

“That is a question for Hunter Biden and his representatives,” Jean-Pierre said again. When Doocy said selling access to the White House was a question for the White House, she pushed back: “No, that is — that is your — your — I don’t know — how you’re perceiving that” [1].

Doocy said it was his “reading of sworn” testimony “by Devon Archer.” “Peter, I’m just not going to get into this. I’m just not,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

He tried one last time. “Devon Archer talks about how he and Hunter Biden tried to profit off the Biden brand. What is the Biden brand?” “I’m not going to get into it from here. I’m not going to get into it from here. We’re going to move on,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

”Two Beers a Week”

Before the Hunter questions, Doocy asked about a report on federal alcohol guidance. “Does President Biden want to limit Americans to two beers a week?” he asked [1].

“Maybe I didn’t miss you so much,” Jean-Pierre joked, as Doocy was just back from leave. Then she declined to weigh in: “I will leave it to the experts. I’m just not going to comment on that” [1][2].

Doocy cited the government’s top alcohol researcher. “Dr. George Koob, who is the director of the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, says the U.S. may soon follow Canada and recommend just two beers a week. How do you guys think that’s going to go over?” he asked. “I — I have no idea. I’ve not seen the data. I cannot speak to this,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

Fox News noted that Biden, “who does not drink himself,” had once encouraged Americans to join “an Anheuser-Busch promotional giveaway to get COVID-19 vaccination numbers up” [2].

By the Numbers

$16,000: monthly cost of the Secret Service’s Malibu staging, as Doocy described it [1].
$15,800: Hunter’s monthly Malibu rent, as Doocy described it [1].
4: times Jean-Pierre referred Doocy to Hunter Biden, his representatives or the Secret Service [1].
18: Secret Service personnel Trump said were on Hunter’s detail in South Africa in 2025 [4].

What Happened Next

Biden promised to accept the verdict. After Hunter’s gun trial in June 2024, Biden said: “I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal” [3].

The White House said no pardon. On Sept. 5, 2024, Jean-Pierre was asked whether a guilty plea by Hunter changed Biden’s thinking on a pardon. “It’s no. It’s still no,” she said. A commutation? “That’s also no” [6].

Then he pardoned him. On Dec. 1, 2024, Biden granted his son “a Full and Unconditional Pardon” for offenses “committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024” [5].

Trump pulled the detail. On March 17, 2025, President Donald Trump revoked the Secret Service protection that Biden had extended for Hunter and Ashley Biden, “bringing an immediate end to their extended security details,” FOX 13 reported. Trump raised concerns about the size of Hunter’s detail in South Africa, which he said included 18 personnel [4].

For the White House’s earlier answers on Hunter’s art buyers, see HYGO News’ page on Jean-Pierre and the art buyer’s White House visits.