Politics and Current
Karine Jean-Pierre catches the eye of a Fox reporter who tests her with numerous questions after Donald Trump’s victory
Two days after Donald Trump’s resounding election victory, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s body language spoke for just about all Democrats. She looks like she’d slightly attend a full-day insurance seminar with no bathroom breaks than one other day of answering reporters’ questions.
But it’s her job, and in two months it can be another person’s job (assuming the Trump administration allows the press to enter the White House). Until then, Jean-Pierre’s cheerful and nice demeanor will likely be put to the test.
She became visibly emotional Thursday in an interview with Fox News reporter Jacqui Heinrich after a seemingly benign query asked at her each day news conference about the Biden administration’s pre-election rhetoric.
“This administration has given millions of Americans the message that when they wake up the day after the election, if Trump wins and takes away their rights, democracy will fall apart. And the president said today: “Everything will be fine.” Heinrich he asked“So how do we even it out?”
From there, things got touchy.
“I can fix it. “I will explain this in a way that I hope makes sense because I have answered this question many times,” he replied Jean-Pierre.
In interview for PBS two weeks before the election, President Joe Biden was putting pressure on the Republican Party candidate, just as Heinrich summarized. Biden said world leaders fear a second term for Trump, sharply criticized his close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and joked that his predecessor (and now successor) “believes in a free press like I consider I can climb Mt. Everest.”
Jean-Pierre said the comments were made before the election. This is a different reality.
“The American people have made their decision,” the press secretary continued. “The elections were held two days ago. Was! This was a free and fair election and we respect the electoral process. We do. And the Americans have spoken.”
“So the president’s job is to make sure that we respect that,” she concluded. “The president’s job is to ensure the peaceful transfer of power. This is what Americans deserve. …It’s not complicated. It’s really, really that simple.”
Heinrich’s further actions irritated the press secretary.
“What is the message to people who are afraid, given the content of (Trump’s) message?” – Heinrich asked before being interrupted by Jean-Pierre.
“Well, now you’re just twisting everything, and it’s really unfair,” she said, clearly upset. “Jackie, it is not fair because I’m standing here attempting to be respectful of what happened the last two nights, two nights ago. Showing respect. “I stand here and say we respect the decision made by the American people.”
“I stand here and say the president will put the American people first,” she continued. “I’m standing here talking about how the president will be sure they get what they deserve, which is a peaceful transition of power. I don’t love my words being twisted. I mean, I’m being very clear, very, very clear about what the president and the vp need to do. We need to be sure we deliver products for Americans. They deserve, they deserve, a peaceful transfer of power. And that is what you will see.”
And that is it for Thursday’s White House press release.