From the early days of the United States, prominent politicians had to face the critical problems caused by family members. Former US Vice President Joe Biden is facing the latest of these difficult fluctuations. Hunter Biden served on the board of a Ukrainian gas company, while his father was vice president, Barack Obama, leading diplomatic efforts with Ukraine. Although the timing raised concerns among anti-corruption advocates, there was no evidence of any wrongdoing by either.
It is part of an unfortunate American tradition, at times, where the vulnerabilities of relatives become the responsibility of national leaders.
"Everybody is affected when someone becomes president," said one. "These people often end up feeling completely liquidated, through their associates."
The second president of the United States, John Adams, had a boy who died of alcoholism, while the father was still in office. Adams' eldest son, John Quincy Adams, became the sixth American president, but the latter's son, John Quincy Adams, the youngest, was expelled from Harvard for drinking too much alcohol and exaggerating private parties.
Presidential historian Doug Wade says the pressures and problems of a son (or daughter) or presidential brothers can be unique and distinct from relatives of other celebrities or prominent businessmen.
Billy Carter is still one of the most prominent examples of the president's disturbing relatives. Jimmy Carter's brother had a series of embarrassing situations, and blatant attempts to take advantage of his situation. It became more serious in 1980, when Bailey registered himself as a Libyan government employee and received $ 220,000 from Tripoli. The move sparked an investigation by the Senate Judiciary Committee, which included then-Senator Joe Biden.
Almost every president seems to have had some kind of annoying family members. Some misconduct, in the past, has been seen as serious in modern times. Jimmy's son, Franklin Roosevelt, has sparked controversy, selling publicly during his father's tenure.
In other cases, the scandals of the past seem normal now. Alice Roosevelt was controversial during her father's tenure, and her supposed irregularities included smoking in public places, curses, and appearing at parties with her pet snake.
The president, Richard Nixon, was said to have allowed eavesdropping on the phone of his brother, Donald, because he feared his business activities would embarrass the administration. President Ronald Reagan's daughter, Patty Davis, has spoken publicly against her father's policy and published a short book.
Bill Clinton suffered the problems of his addicted brother, who caused him a "headache," and his two sisters, Hillary, dealt with suspicious businessmen.
- The pressures and problems of the son «or girl» or brothers
Presidential, can be unique, and distinct
For relatives of other celebrities or prominent businessmen.