White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Monday dodged a question over whether or not the Biden administration condemned controversial remarks made by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) over the weekend, in which the California Democrat congresswoman said, while appearing alongside protesters in Minnesota, that the activists needed to get “more confrontational”, if former police officer Derek Chauvin was not convicted of murdering George Floyd.
Asked what protesters should do if Chauvin is not found guilty, Rep. Waters told reporters, “We’ve got to stay on the street and we’ve got to get more active, we’ve got to get more confrontational. We’ve got to make sure that they know that we mean business.”
Chief White House Correspondent for CNN Kaitlin Collins pressed Jen Psaki about Rep. Waters’ comment over the weekend and whether Joe Biden agreed that people need to get “more confrontational.”
“You talk to all the White House’s preparing for whatever that verdict is. Congresswoman Maxine Waters said over the weekend that they need to, ‘we’ve got to stay on the street, and we’ve got to get more active. We’ve got to get more confrontational, we’ve got to make sure that they know that we mean business.’ Does the President agree with what she said about getting more confrontational?” Collins asked Psaki.
“Well I can speak to the president’s view, um, he has been very clear that he recognizes the issue of police violence against people of color, communities of color, is one of great anguish and it’s uh, exhausting and quite emotional at times,” Psaki said.
“As you know, he met with the Floyd family last year and has been closely following the trials we’ve been talking about, and is committed to undoing this long standing systemic problem,” Psaki asserted. Continued Below
“His view is also that exercising First Amendment rights and protesting injustice is the most American thing that anyone can do,” said the White House press secretary.
“But as he also always says, protests must be peaceful. That’s what he continues to call for and what he continues to believe is the right way to approach responding,” she added, without answering whether he agrees with Rep. Waters’ remarks. Video Below
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki’s remarks:
Biden’s Press Secretary Jen Psaki refuses to condemn Democrat Congresswoman Maxine Waters’ call “to get more confrontational”https://t.co/iJVLjpsjwD pic.twitter.com/KTQ0pnHyyM
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) April 19, 2021
As previously reported by Swamp Drain:
On Sunday evening, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) accused Rep. Maxine Waters of breaking the law when she traveled to Minnesota and urged protesters to “to stay on the street,” “fight for justice” and “get more confrontational” if former police officer Derek Chauvin is acquitted in his trial.
Rep. Greene — who is planning on introducing a resolution to expel Rep. Waters from Congress — cited 18 U.S. Code 2101, which specifically addresses criminal activity pertaining to riots.
(Related: Rep. MTG To Pelosi: I Can Expect A Yes Vote From You On My Resolution To Expel Rep. Waters, Right?)
