Thursday’s White House news conference began nearly four hours slow, and White House press secretary Jen Psaki introduced her successor, Karine-Jean Pierre, who currently serves as principal deputy press secretary. Questions related to a leaked US Supreme Court draft showing the Court is ready to be overturned Roe v. Wade took center stage during the press conference, which included an exchange between Psaki and Fox News’ Peter Doocy.
DOOCY: “These activists posted a map with the home addresses of Supreme Court justices. Is this what this president wants…?”
PSAKI: “The reason for the protests is that women across the country are concerned about their basic rights.” pic.twitter.com/TCpXCOwfQR
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 5, 2022
When Doocy asked whether “progressive activists planning protests outside judges’ homes are extreme,” Psaki responded that “peaceful protests are not extreme” and that “we encourage people to remain calm and not resort to any level of violence.” violence.”
After being confronted with how “these activists posted a map with the home addresses of Supreme Court Justices,” Psaki instead focused on the “passion” of such activists. “Look, I think the president thinks there is a lot of passion, a lot of fear, a lot of, um, sadness among many, many people across the country about what they saw in this leaked document.”
She then added that “of course we want people’s privacy to be respected, we want people to protest peacefully, if they want to protest, that would certainly be the president’s view.”
During an exchange with Doocy, Psaki responded that “I don’t have an official U.S. government position on where people are protesting” and also clarified that it was not about the judges’ safety and privacy.
“But I don’t think we should lose the point here,” Psaki insisted, her tone becoming passionate. “The reason for the protests is that women across the country are concerned about their fundamental rights, which have been in force for 50 years, and that their right to make decisions about their own bodies and their health care is at risk. That’s why people are protesting! they are unhappy! They’re scared!”
Doocy was referring to activists who, as Spencer and Julio reported, are paid to protest at Supreme Court justices’ homes. As I also highlighted earlier on Thursday, the safety of judges is of great concern at a time when pro-abortion activists publicly incite “rage” and others threaten or act on violence.
Psaki also declined to say whether President Joe Biden supports any restrictions on abortion. While some may be as reserved as Psaki, the Democratic Party refuses to say any abortion restrictions it supports, and Doocy names Rep. Tim Ryan, the Democratic candidate for Ohio’s open Senate seat. one such example someone who is at least open about this radical position.
Shortly thereafter, in a follow-up question, Psaki doubled down on her refusal to condemn the leaked draft. “This isn’t about the leak, this is about women’s health care,” Psaki exclaimed passionately, reiterating that focusing on the leak is “a distraction.”
REPORTER: “Why wouldn’t the White House condemn this leak?”
PSAKI: “We are trying to distract from the real problem… many Republicans who are trying to overturn women’s basic rights are trying to talk about the leak. This isn’t about a leak.” pic.twitter.com/bEL0Fop99Y
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 5, 2022
During the press conference, Psaki was visibly harsh, even incensed, toward reporters who urged her to condemn pro-abortion activists.
Earlier Thursday, Catholic President Brian Burch voted issued a statement calling on President Joe Biden to condemn these “Ruth Sent Us” groups that also threaten the safety of Catholic Churches and their parishioners at Mass.
“In the wake of the shameless leak of the Supreme Court’s draft opinion, pro-abortion groups are now threatening disruptions at Catholic churches and protests outside the homes of Supreme Court justices this Sunday,” Burch warned. “President Biden must immediately and forcefully condemn these domestic terrorism threats. Anti-Catholic fanatics are plotting to intimidate and harass Catholics across the country, as well as judges and their families. This country was built on freedom of speech and freedom of religion. The president of the United States must stand up for both.”
In Burch’s statement, she also referred to the desecration of a Catholic church in Boulder, Colorado, which was vandalized by pro-abortion activists.
“These threats follow a record number of attacks on churches, shrines and Catholic symbols over the past two years. This week, another Catholic church in Boulder, Colorado was desecrated by pro-abortion activists. We call on responsible leaders in Washington to unequivocally condemn these dangerous threats before they lead to violence or worse,” he said.
When a reporter tried to ask about such desecrations, Psaki dropped a reminder that the president supports “peaceful protests” and didn’t let him finish his sentence when she asked another question.
