White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre didn’t stay long at her first press briefing since Tuesday’s election, departing the podium after a Fox News reporter inquired whether President Joe Biden has reflected on his role in President-elect Donald Trump’s victory. A cool and measured KJP came undone after reporter Jacqui Heinrich queried her about a tweet by Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres.
The Democrat wrote on Wednesday that “Donald Trump has no greater friend” than far-left activists who “managed to alienate large numbers of Latinos, Blacks, Asians, and Jews from the Democratic Party with absurdities like ‘Defund the Police’ or ‘from the river to the sea.’” Heinrich contrasted this with earlier explanations from the administration, which attributed Trump’s reelection to lingering inflation from the pandemic rather than the messaging that Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned on. “Is that easier than looking in the mirror?” she asked directly.
Jean-Pierre attempted to politely deflect the question, asserting that Biden and Harris have been “pretty clear and understanding” regarding the election results. Heinrich then followed up, referencing Biden’s statement on Wednesday that everything “would be okay” after Trump’s win, despite the overt fear-mongering employed by him, Harris, and other top Democrats, who portrayed the former president as a threat to democracy. “Is the message to people who are fearful based on what the messaging was, about the stakes and…” the Fox News correspondent attempted to ask before she was cut off by a suddenly angry Jean-Pierre, who will be out of a job in a few months.
“Well, now you’re just twisting everything around now, and that’s really unfair. No no no, Jacqui, it’s unfair,” Jean-Pierre shot back, talking over Heinrich’s objections. “I’ve been standing here trying to be very respectful to what happened… two nights ago, being respectful. I’ve been standing here saying we respect the decision that the American people made. I do not appreciate having my words twisted. I have been very, very, very clear about what the president wants to do, and the vice president, deliver for the American people. They deserve a peaceful transfer of power, and that’s what you’re gonna see.” She then grabbed her binder and stormed out of the room.
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KJP’s remarks followed closely after Vice President Harris conceded the election but pledged to “not concede the fight that powered this campaign.” Trump’s decisive victory and historic margins among Black and Latino voters have triggered backlash among leading figures in the Democratic Party, with some openly criticizing Biden’s “arrogance” for not stepping aside sooner. This internal strife has put KJP in a difficult position, having to defend Harris’s performance while also navigating criticisms from influential party members like Torres without retaliating too harshly.
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