White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre took a tough stance after Fox News senior White House correspondent Jackie Heinrich asked her about the change in President Biden's rhetoric before and after the election.
In brief remarks Thursday, Biden congratulated President-elect Trump on his victory and pledged that his entire administration would work to “ensure a peaceful and orderly transition of power.” He stressed unity and said political movements were a “competition of conflicting visions” in which countries choose sides.
“We accept the choices our country has made. As I've said many times, you can't love your country just because you win. You can't love your neighbor just because you agree with them. But I hope we can, because we don't see each other as adversaries, we see each other as fellow Americans,” Biden said.
But Heinrich recalled Biden's history of warning that Trump and his supporters were a threat to American democracy.
“As you mentioned, this administration has told millions of Americans that if Trump wins and gets disenfranchised, democracy will collapse, and they will wake up the day after the election. And the president said today, “We're OK.'' So how do we resolve that?'' she asked the press secretary.
“We can work it out,” Jean-Pierre said. “I've answered this question many times, so I'm going to square it in a way that hopefully makes sense. The American people made a decision. There was an election two nights ago. There was. And it was a free and fair election. And we respect the electoral process. And so the president's job is to make sure that we respect that. That's what the American people deserve.''
She later added that Biden has played a role in the peaceful transfer of power. “Because the president wants to set an example. It's not complicated. It really isn't. And, you know, it's important.”
Mr. Heinrich asked Mr. Jean-Pierre what his message is to people who are fearful based on Mr. Biden's previous messages.
Jean-Pierre bristled at the question.
“Well, you're just twisting everything, but it's really unfair. No, it's no, no, no, no, Jackie, I'm very upset about what happened the last two nights, two nights ago. It's not fair because we're standing here trying to pay respect. Pay respect,” the White House press secretary said.
“I've been standing here and saying I respect the decisions that the American people have made. I've been standing here and saying that the president is going to put the American people first. We've been standing here talking about how the president is going to make sure they get what they deserve: a peaceful transfer of power.”
Jean-Pierre seemed irritated and continued to object to reporters' questions.
“I don't appreciate having my words twisted,” she said, adding, “I've been very, very, very clear about what I want the president and vice president to do.” insisted. We want to make sure we serve the American people. They deserve a peaceful transfer of power. And that's what you're going to see. ”
“Thank you, everyone,” Jean-Pierre said as he closed his binder and left the podium.
During his campaign, the president repeatedly claimed that Trump was a “threat to democracy.” While campaigning for Harris in the final weeks of the campaign, Biden called on Trump to be “politically” restrained.
“Our democracy is at stake,” he added. “Think about it. Think about what would happen if Donald Trump won this election.”
