Jen Psaki Shuts Down Fox Reporter for Claiming POTUS Wants to ‘Defund the Police’
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki schooled Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy during a press briefing on Friday after Doocy suggested that President Joe Biden nominated Vanita Gupta for associate attorney general because she intends to “defund the police,” which Psaki explained is simply not true.
“Hoping to clarify the administration’s position here on defunding the police. You say the president does not want to defund the police. Is the president concerned, then, that last year the now Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta said it was, quote, ‘critical for state and local leaders to heed calls from Black Lives Matter and Movement 4 Black Lives activists to decrease police budgets?'” Doocy asked.
Psaki sternly directed Doocy to review his own network’s reporting on the matter.
“Well, let me first say that as a Fox News report that came about in February quoted, quote, ‘current police chiefs in more that in 53 cities across the country, as well as the National Fraternal Order of Police, are assuring their support of the nomination of Vanita Gupta, President Biden’s nominee for Associate Attorney General, praising her leadership and record, and urging the Senate Judiciary Committee to quickly confirm her to the post.’ I don’t know that that was your report or not, but it was certainly one from your network,” Psaki stated.
It should have ended there but Doocy appears to enjoy the routine reaming he receives in the Briefing Room.
“But she said, okay, so that’s the Fox report, thank you, in Senate testimony, she said that she wanted to decrease police budgets, so…” Doocy continued. But Psaki quickly shut him down.
“She also made it explicitly clear in her confirmation process that she opposes defunding the police. And the president ran on, most importantly, did not run on defunding the police. He’s always opposed defunding the police,” Psaki rebutted.
Watch below via Crooks and Liars:
What's Your Reaction?
