White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was grilled over the latest targeting of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh as she claimed the administration condemns “any intimidation of judges.”
Following reports that Kavanaugh had to escape through a back door of Morton’s Steakhouse in Washington, D.C. after protesters descended as he dined there this week, Fox News reporter Peter Doocy confronted President Joe Biden’s spokesperson on the incident.
“Does the president think it’s appropriate for abortion-rights protesters to intimidate Supreme Court justices when they’re out to eat, like Brett Kavanaugh, who had to sneak out of a steakhouse last night?” Doocy asked at the White House press briefing.
Jean-Pierre insisted Biden and his administration “have been pretty clear” about these kinds of acts, pointing out that the president has recently signed the Supreme Court Police Parity Act.
“But you never said, ‘Don’t go to their houses as long as they’re peaceful,” Doocy pressed. “Would you say, ‘Don’t go to a restaurant that a Supreme Court justice is at?’”
Peter Doocy and Karine-Jean Pierre go round and round as she avoids condemning harassing justices out at restaurants: ” This is what a democracy is.” pic.twitter.com/zSRQiUKZS8
— Scott Whitlock (@ScottJW) July 8, 2022
“What I’m saying is we condemn any intimidation when it comes to judges,” Jean-Pierre said. “The president has talked about this, and we have put out statements in his name many, many times.”
“So there are circumstances that it’s OK if protesters know that a justice is out to eat at a restaurant that they can go and protest as long as they are what you consider peaceful?” Doocy asked.
Jean-Pierre insisted the White House has condemned the intimidation of justices while emphasizing that the administration wants “to see the protests be peaceful.”
When pressed about locations that may not be “appropriate” for protests against justices – such as their homes or at restaurants – the press secretary noted that demonstrations outside eateries were not deemed off-limits by the administration.
“Really?” Doocy asked, prompting Jean-Pierre to respond, “Peaceful protests.”
I’m sure she wouldn’t have the same reaction if a right wing group, like Proud Boys or whatever, showed up to protest her while she was eating at a restaurant
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) July 8, 2022
“So these justices, because protesters do not agree with an opinion that they’ve signed on to have no right to privacy? Is that what you’re saying?” the Fox News correspondent pressed.
“People have the right, this is what a democracy is,” Jean-Pierre replied.
“Of course, people have a right to privacy,” she said, adding that people “also have a right to be able to protest peacefully” but that the White House condemns “the intimidation and the violence.”
“Isn’t that creating a potential bad situation when there are people, even if they’re being peaceful at the time, they’re angry, and that’s why they would be there, right?” Doocy questioned.
Jean-Pierre repeated her remarks on what the administration condemns and ended the exchange. Twitter users called out the response.
This is especially heinous given that there has already been an assassination attempt against Justice Kavanaugh. WH creating an incredibly unsafe situation for SCOTUS justices.
— Stephen Miller (@StephenM) July 8, 2022
This is a despicable response. Basically encouraging others to go after people they don’t like politically. They are creating an environment that exposes their culpability for the Republican baseball team shooting and the Kavanaugh planned assassination. https://t.co/9tG0ogD38m
— Sexy Dad Bod Mike (@bod25mike) July 8, 2022
I think protestors following you around while living your life qualifies as intimidation.
— Lil Al (@Spawn_of_Al) July 8, 2022
You heard the White House…
Please feel free to harass Democrats in public places like restaurants.
The White House says that’s “democracy.” https://t.co/yYmZs9jHUm
— Bob Weave (@lowkeyrbe) July 8, 2022
Imagine if a bunch of white protesters forced Ketanji Jackson out of a restaurant, would she say the same thing?
— DecentAmerican (@DecentAmerican1) July 8, 2022
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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