Karine Jean-Pierre Responds to Democrat Frustration Over Biden Administration

Questions 1-3

Published reports stating overall frustration with Democrats over Biden: Is this administration concerned about that criticism from Democrats? And it also says the President is incapable of the urgency needed because of Roe V Wade being overturned? Any response form the administration to those published reports?

So, here’s the thing I’ve heard of this. The President has shown. If you look at the different issues that have come up most recently, in particular, let’s start with Gun Violence. Um, the President showed urgency. He showed fury. He showed, he showed, um, frustration. He spoke to that issue at everytime that he could. Whether he was at Uvalde Texas, or Buffalo, or did a prime time address. And we were able to get first step, a bipartisan gun reform piece of legislation which is something we have not seen in 30 years and a lot of that is because of his leadership. Same thing he was able to do 30 years ago when we saw the assault weapons ban. So, he showed urgency there and we were able to deliver in a bipartisan way.

When it comes to Roe vs. Wade, within hours of the announcement that we heard from SCOTUS, he put forth executive authorities that went into effect with the approved medication from FDA, and also making sure that calling upon DOJ to protect women who are crossing the lines because they have to make decision on their health. And those are things that actually matter. There’s more work to do. He’s going to look at everything that he can do on a legal authority.

And, but here’s the thing. When it comes to Roe, when it comes to a precedent that has been around for 50 years, what needs to happen is Congress needs to act. We have to codify Roe. We have to make sure that it is the law of the land.

Second Question:

With the criticism of the President, is this administration concerned about how the Democrats will perform in the midterm elections?

KJP: Well, as you know, I cannot talk about the midterms from here. That will get me into big trouble.

Is the President concerned?

KJP: Well, I’m just saying, I gotta be careful about that.

Has he expressed any concern?

KJP: The president wants to make sure that we continue delivering for the American people. He has said. What I can say from here, if we are in a position where Congress does not act, as we are speaking to, on Roe V. Wade, and does not codify Roe, make that, make Roe the law of the land. Then, the American public should make their voices heard. They should make their voices heard at the ballot box. And that is something that Biden is going to call on, it is something he is going to speak on very loudly and very aggresively as you laid out. This is an important important issue. HE has said this is an extreme decision by the court. He has said this is going to change the lives of so many women. Upend their lives if you will because of this extreme decision, and it should not stand. What we saw a couple weeks ago is not the end, it is only the beginning and we have to keep working towards that.

Third Question:

Nearly 70 journalists signed a letter sent to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre demanding increased access to White House venues and key events

Karine Jean-Pierre Responds to Press Demanding More White House Access

As far as the letter signed by 70 White House Journalists:

Karine Jean-Pierre: We are coming into a different place of the Covid. Things are starting to open up. We are even doing tours here. We had 7,000 people in the South Lawn yesterday, military families, to celebrate the 4th of July. It was a wonderful event. And so, you know, we understand. We want to make the President accessible. We are working to that with the understanding that we are trying to see what the next steps are. This is a priority of ours.