In a sharp exchange at Wednesday’s press briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre issued a firm response to Fox Business Network’s Edward Lawrence.
The reporter had questioned whether President Joe Biden intended to apologize to Donald Trump for calling him a “threat” to democracy.
The press secretary quickly underscored that Biden’s stance remains rooted in “honesty with the American people.”
When asked about Biden’s remarks on Trump, Jean-Pierre pointed out that the characterization of Trump as a threat is not Biden’s alone but has been echoed by former Trump administration officials, including former Chief of Staff John Kelly, who has spoken openly about their concerns regarding a potential second term for Trump.
“The president is going to always feel obligated to be honest with the American people. What he says still stands,” Jean-Pierre affirmed, stressing that Biden’s stance reflects a commitment to transparency rather than a need for apology.
She reminded reporters that the president’s stance aligns with what former insiders have openly stated about Trump’s leadership, a message she felt important to “lift up” as a reminder of the stakes involved.
Jean-Pierre stated that Biden’s approach reflects a commitment to “leading by example” by focusing on the priorities of the American public and not allowing past political battles to overshadow the administration’s work.
For Biden, she said, “listening to the will of the American people” remains paramount, reinforcing his resolve to focus on governance rather than partisan conflict.
Without directly addressing Trump’s history of inflammatory rhetoric, including his labeling of political opponents as “enemies of the people,” Jean-Pierre drove home her point:
“There are facts here that we should certainly also lift up.”
