WASHINGTON – More fools, Karine Jean Pierre.
The White House press secretary made himself an April Fool’s Day Monday, opening a briefing with a lame prank that fooled no one in the press corps.
“So President Biden is going to announce that he’s going to repeal the Hatch Act,” Jean-Pierre said confidently, grinning as he took to the stage. “Now, as a gift to you all, I’m going to answer your questions about 2024.”
Jean-Pierre’s efforts proved to be a fool’s errand, and were met with groans from the reporters in the newsroom.
“No? I thought you’d like it?” Jean-Pierre responded before admitting defeat. “Okay. Okay. April Fool’s Day, April Fool’s Day, April Fool’s Day – Today is April 1st for him.”
One of the journalists, offended by the attempt to cutely portray inside Washington humor, retorted sarcastically, “Ha, ha, ha.”
“Thank you,” Jean-Pierre replied. “I thought it was pretty. I thought it was very clever to me.”
Jean-Pierre and his fellow senators dodged questions related to Biden’s campaign statements and opinions about his predecessor and likely 2024 challenger, former President Donald Trump. I have cited the Hatch Act.
Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates even refused to answer questions about cocaine found in the White House last summer, citing the Hatch Act, which restricts federal employees from using platforms only for campaign purposes.
“He mentioned the Hatch Act because the question was asked using Donald Trump,” Jean-Pierre tried to explain at the time. “So he was trying to be very careful…That’s why he said the Hatch Act.”
A few weeks ago, the independent Office of the Special Counsel announced that Jean-Pierre Repeatedly used the phrase “mega MAGA Republicans” in reference to Republican candidates during the 2022 midterm cycle, violating the Hatch Act.
Despite this discovery, no further action was taken against Jean-Pierre.
Violators of the Hatch Act can be fined up to $1,000 and barred from federal employment, but most penalties generally take the form of unwelcome attention and embarrassment.
