Doocy asks WH press sec.’s take on Biden accepting debates: “As the most prominent political communicator in the world…”
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Fox News White House Correspondent Peter Doocy questioned White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre about President Joe Biden accepting two debates with his predecessor, Donald Trump, and referred to her as “the most prominent political communicator in the world.”
“I know you don't want to talk about campaign stuff,” Doocy said upon being called on at the White House press briefing on Wednesday.
“I really don’t,” Jean-Pierre quickly interjected. “It’s not even that I don’t want to — I can’t. I can’t.”
The Hatch Act restricts employees in the executive branch of the federal government, except the president and vice president, from engaging in partisan political activities such as campaigns.
“Then how about your insight as the most prominent political communicator in the world — the White House press secretary,” Doocy continued. “Does a person generally want to debate when they are winning, or when they are losing?”
Doocy’s framing caught Jean-Pierre by surprise. “In the world? In the world?” she echoed.
“I am not going to do political punditry from here, my friend. I’m just not going to do it,” Jean-Pierre then replied. “I used to do that in my old job. I’m not going to do it from here.”
Biden and Trump on Wednesday both agreed to a debate hosted by CNN on June 27, a historically early showdown for a presidential election. They also agreed to a second debate on September 10 hosted by ABC News.
