opinion
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre received a heavy dose of criticism on social media after initially saying she would not get into politics on a question about crime in Washington, D.C., then immediately pointing the finger at Republicans.
A reporter at Wednesday's news conference noted that “murders are up, crime is up, car thefts are up” at the nation's Capitol and asked Jean-Pierre: “Does the president think the nation's capital is safe for Americans from all over the country to come visit?” . ?”
What followed was a puzzling answer.
“I mean, look, we see – we hear the reports and we see the data as well. She added: “All violent crimes anywhere are completely unacceptable, not just here in the capital.” “We'll call that — all of them in communities across the country.”
Jean-Pierre then insisted that she did not want to “get into politics about it,” before immediately getting into politics about it.
“The president wants to make sure communities feel safe. We don't see that from Republicans in Congress. We are not. She claimed that they continue to block the road. “The president has taken action. He's putting – putting that in his budget every day, to make sure that we're making communities safer. And we're not seeing that from Republicans.”
The secretary then urged “Republican members of Congress” to join their fight against crime.
“Does the president believe the nation's capital is safe for Americans from all over the country to come visit?”
Karen Jean-Pierre: “[Republicans] “Continue standing in the way.” pic.twitter.com/a7McMdOpbD
– RNC Research (RNCResearch) February 14, 2024
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Jean-Pierre's ridiculous answer
There is a lot to unpack with Jean-Pierre's answer, and as a service to our readers, so that you don't lose your mind trying to translate what was said, we are here to do it for you.
First, President Joe Biden's director begins the conversation with “I mean, look,” which should be some sort of signal that a lie is imminent. In fact, in yesterday's press conference, the phrase “I mean” was used 16 separate times. We're not kidding, take a look at the text. I used the word “look” to start the answer 9 more times.
Second, suggesting that you'll stay out of the fray of politics and then immediately blaming your political opponents three times in about 30 seconds is next-level gaslighting.
Third, how can crime in D.C. be Republicans' fault when none of the 15 City Council seats in that drain have any Republicans?
Fourth, what the hell does this mean? “The president has taken action. He's putting that in his budget every day, to make sure we're making communities safer.” Biden has a daily crime budget now, right?
Viewers on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, are not sold on Jean-Pierre's bill of goods.
“It's always the fault of those bad MAGA extremists,” one user wrote.
Another described Jean-Pierre as “a slow-moving fireball in a theater with no exits.”
“When my car was stolen in DC, they shouted ‘this is MAGA country’ as they drove away laughing,” another Jokingly.
“Women do nothing but lie,” one user pointed out. “Why did you put her on this platform?”
I mean, look, it's a good question.
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She says this days after a Trump official was shot and killed in a carjacking
What's particularly disgusting about Jean-Pierre's attempt to blame Republicans for crimes in D.C. is the fact that she said so nearly two weeks after the shooting of Mike Gill, who worked at the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission during former President Donald Trump's term in office. White House. In a carjacking and later died.
In D.C., “shootings, homicides and carjackings are up, spilling over into neighborhoods normally spared this kind of violence” in 2023, NBC reports.
But that, in Jean-Pierre's opinion, is due to the Republican Party, which has no representation in the city council or in the mayor's office.
On the other hand, a recent Rasmussen poll indicates that Republicans have a significant lead when it comes to tackling crime in the eyes of American voters.
The latest poll found that 48% of likely American voters trust Republicans more to handle crime and law enforcement issues, while 36% trust Democrats more.
But look, I don't want to “get into politics about it” or anything.
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