White House press secretary responds to criticism, says she misheard question about antisemitism
WASHINGTON – After drawing criticism for not addressing the rise of antisemitism in the U.S., White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre clarified that she misheard the question.
Jean-Pierre began Tuesday's White House press briefing saying she wanted to "make something clear at the top" as she condemned antisemitism.
"When Jews are targeted because of their beliefs or their identity, when Israel is singled out because of anti-Jewish hatred, that is antisemitism," Jean-Pierre said. "And that is unacceptable. There's no place for antisemitism. Full stop. Period."
On Monday, a reporter asked Jean-Pierre about President Joe Biden's level of concern about the rise of antisemitism amid the Israel-Hamas war in the Middle East.
Jean-Pierre responded by saying "we have not seen any credible threats" - without clarifying what she meant - and went on to discuss hate against Arab Americans and Muslims, not against Jews.
"Look, Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim have endured a disproportionate number of hate-fueled attacks," Jean-Pierre said Monday. "And certainly President Biden understands that many of our Muslim, Arab-American and Palestinian-American loved ones and neighbors are worried about the hate being directed at their communities."
Jean-Pierre's response drew immediate criticism, particularly among Republicans.
"This is the most tone-deaf answer ever," Ari Fleischer, former press secretary for President George W. Bush, wrote on X. "The question was about antisemitism and KJP talks about threats to Muslim Americans I guess the fact that Jews are attacked doesn’t register with her."
In a statement the White House provided to Paste BN, first reported by Politico, Jean-Pierre said she appreciated the chance to address her remarks.
“Yes, I did mishear the question," Jean-Pierre said. "As I have footstomped many times from the podium and on the air, antisemitism is an abomination that this President has fought against his entire life; and I feel strongly about that work."
She added: "That’s why, in the briefing room, I have blasted the repulsive increase in antisemitic rhetoric, conspiracy theories, and hate crimes in our nation, calling out that, tragically, this is a rising threat."
President Joe Biden has stood in complete solidarity with Israel since the attack and in an Oval Office address last Thursday said, "We must, without equivocation, denounce antisemitism. We must also, without equivocation, denounce Islamophobia."
Jean-Pierre pointed to the Biden administration's deployment of a national strategy to combat antisemitism and the Homeland Security Department's efforts under Biden to crack down on threats the Jewish, Muslim, and Arab-American communities.
"As President Biden says, winning the battle for the soul of this nation depends on giving hate no safe harbor. I’m proud to make sure it never has one in the briefing room.”
Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @Joeygarrison.