'I DISAGREE': KJP Rages After Doocy Grills Her On White House's Trump Rhetoric
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Fox News reporter Peter Doocy clashed once again during a heated exchange in the White House briefing room on Wednesday. The exchange centered on the administration’s rhetoric toward former President Donald Trump following a second recent assassination attempt against him. Doocy pressed Jean-Pierre on whether the White House’s frequent characterization of Trump as a “threat” was fueling political violence, a question that Jean-Pierre rejected outright.
The tension began when Doocy opened his question by referencing the attempted assassination of Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club. He asked, “It’s been only two days since somebody allegedly tried to kill Donald Trump again. And you’re here at the podium in the White House briefing room calling him a threat. How many more assassination attempts on Donald Trump until the president and the vice president and you pick a different word to describe Trump other than threat?”
“I actually completely disagree with the premise of your question, the question that you’re asking. It is also incredibly dangerous in the way that you’re asking it, because American people are watching,” Jean-Pierre said. She then accused Doocy of distorting the administration’s message and claimed that the White House has always worked to lower the temperature on political rhetoric. “To say that from an administration who has consistently condemned political violence…that’s what we’ve done from here.”
“There are mentally unstable people who are attempting to kill political candidates, attempting to kill Donald Trump, and they are still hearing this White House refer to him as a threat. Is there no concern that people are taking that literally?” Doocy asked.
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“We’re using examples. We’re not just saying that just to say it. January 6, Peter. January 6,” Jean-Pierre repeated. She reiterated claims that the White House has consistently condemned political violence “over and over again,” but that their criticisms of Trump are rooted in his own behavior and rhetoric.
Trump was the target of an assassination attempt on Sunday, marking the second such attack against him. The incident occurred on a golf course where Trump was playing, with gunman Ryan Wesley Routh being arrested shortly after.
For many, Doocy’s questions about the Biden administration’s rhetoric hit a nerve, given the seriousness of two recent attempts on Trump’s life. Jean-Pierre, however, was adamant in her position. “We have been very clear from here. Now we can have a disagreement on policies…but when you start bringing political rhetoric, political rhetoric, that is not okay,” she finished.
Trump was reportedly playing just one hole away from the location of the attack. He was quickly declared safe by Secret Service officials, while authorities moved swiftly to apprehend Routh as he tried to flee the scene. On Monday, Routh made his first court appearance. Details of the charges and potential motive are still being ironed out, but the threat has raised fresh concerns about Trump’s safety ahead of his expected political engagements.