In an unexplained and curious move, White House Deputy Press Secretary Olivia Dalton replaced Karine Jean-Pierre behind the podium in the briefing room on Tuesday for the first time, spurring rumors of her possibly replacing the beleaguered press secretary.

Dalton has previously led press briefings on Air Force One, but Tuesday’s presser was a new development in the drama that constantly engulfs the Biden administration and Jean-Pierre was missing in action.

The deputy press secretary adhered to Jean-Pierre’s playbook, refusing to address the IRS whistleblower’s testimony about Hunter Biden. She was joined behind the podium by National Economic Director Lael Brainard.

Reporter Steven Nelson of the New York Post asked Dalton about President Biden’s lunch with Barack Obama on Tuesday, and whether the former president had offered the same advice he did for his 2020 run when he allegedly said, “You don’t have to do this, Joe, you really don’t.”

“I don’t know what you’re referring to and I don’t have any comment,” she tersely responded.

“President Obama reportedly told President Biden ahead of 2020, ‘You don’t have to do this, Joe, you really don’t.’ Can you say if a similar message was shared today?”

Biden spokeswoman Olivia Dalton: “I can’t and I don’t know what you’re referring to” pic.twitter.com/aJDOSzQBnx

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 27, 2023

“Does the White House believe Attorney General Garland committed perjury when he testified under oath that Delaware US Attorney David Weiss could bring charges outside of his district?” Dalton asked, referring to the whistleblower testimony released to the public last Thursday by Republicans.

“I don’t have any comment on this,” Dalton said, evading the issue altogether according to the official White House transcript.

“Does the White House believe Attorney General Garland committed perjury when he testified under oath that Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss could bring charges outside of his district?”

Biden spokeswoman Olivia Dalton: “I don’t have any comment” pic.twitter.com/d9eWmR23EK

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 27, 2023

Nelson attempted to ask the question again but got chastised for it.

“Steven, I’m moving on,” Dalton informed him.

She then, in effect, dismissed Nelson and turned to another reporter.

Olivia Dalton (@ODalton46) made her first appearance at the White House briefing room podium today. She sounded robotic, reading off numbers and praising @JoeBiden while criticizing @realDonaldTrump. It seemed like more of a propaganda speech. May God help us. pic.twitter.com/y1spciirk9

— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) June 27, 2023

Dalton was also asked more questions about Hunter Biden’s business affairs and what message the president was attempting to send last week by inviting him to the state dinner for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event came just days after the first son accepted a sweetheart plea deal over the investigation into his tax affairs and gun ownership.

“Every president of the United States has invited their family to state dinner. This president also has a family. He is no different. And beyond that, I’m just not going to engage on this,” the deputy press secretary asserted, closing down the questions.

Lately, Jean-Pierre has also been frequently accompanied by White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby at the briefings, who often takes up half the briefing in what appears to be an attempt to limit exposure of the press secretary to the press’ questions.

Dalton stepped behind the podium following a contentious press briefing on Friday where a number of reporters yelled at Kirby, then took aim at Jean-Pierre over an alleged 2017 WhatsApp text message where Hunter Biden invoked his father’s presence to threaten a Chinese business associate.

WH briefing today with debuts by deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton and the director of the National Economic Council Lael Brainard. pic.twitter.com/JWdG4zaZWB

— Kelly O’Donnell (@KellyO) June 27, 2023

Unlike Jean-Pierre who is glued to her notes in a binder during press briefings, Dalton rarely looked at them. Instead, taking a more informed, forceful stance behind the podium. But she was just as non-transparent as the press secretary is, if not more so.

Here is the complete briefing for context:

(Video Credit: NowThis News)

Dalton joined the White House in 2022 from the US delegation to the United Nations in New York, where she was communications director to US Permanent Representative Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

“Olivia is a seasoned communications strategist with experience at the highest levels of government, national campaigns, and leading non-profits,'”Jean-Pierre noted in a statement when she was hired according to the Daily Mail. “She is smart, savvy, and a true pro. She will be a tremendous addition to the press team and a true asset for the entire Biden-Harris administration.”

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