Another episode of Season Finale of The Psaki Show. With a much-deserved interview by Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy and some very bizarre questions from other reporters present, this episode concluded with an entertaining finale.
First up we start with ABC’s Mary Bruce who seemed almost devastated that the Biden administration would go back on their promise to “slash greenhouse gas emissions” in half by 2030. Bruce was worried and asked Psaki if he had heard that. “Congress has yet to act on many of your climate proposals, is the President’s ambitious climate change goal and agenda still attainable?”
Psaki said that the respondents were happy with their “historic investment in addressing the climate crisis”It is “something that we will continue to discuss with Congress.”
Next up, is the moment you’ve all been waiting for with Peter Doocy firing off a number of hard-hitting questionsPsaki
You said about this mask ruling out of a federal court in Florida that it’s a disappointing decision and you say you continue to recommend that people wear masks. What is the difference between sitting in the White House briefing area with masks and being able to sit on an airplane with masks in place?
In response, Psaki sassed Doocy by claiming she’s “not a doctor”He is not: “You’re not a doctor that I’m aware of.” Finally getting around to answering the question, the belligerent press secretary tried to explain how the mask decisions are made: “these determinations, remember the masking guidance is there are is green, yellow and red. We are currently in a green zone in Washington, D. C. So they’re not recommending it.”
Doocy promptly askedYou don’t have to skip a beat “then would the President support if a flight is leaving from an airport in a green zone, those people don’t have to wear masks?”
On to the next topic, he grilled Psaki on this startling statistic that should scare everyone (click “expand” to read):
DOOCY: Okay, let’s move on to a new topic. New reports indicate that 23 terror watchlist members were apprehended in the South border. What makes you think someone on the terror watch list would be willing to travel undetected into the United States?
PSAKI : That’s a tough question. However, I can assure you that the Border Patrol did their job. You mean they arrested people at the border.
DOOCY. Last month, 2,000 illegal immigrants were eluded. Do you think you could say that none of these illegal immigrants are on any terror watch lists?
PSAKI: We’re referring to encounters that we have with suspected terrorists trying to cross the southern frontier. These encounters are very rare. We’re talking about a few dozen annual encounters at most at most, and these encounters represent significantly less than the 0.1% of total encounters per fiscal year in recent years, but I’d note these individuals, these 23 people, the Border Patrol, they stopped them. They blocked their entry to the country. They are protecting the homeland and keeping us safe.
DOOCY
PSAKI: He’s grateful to the Border Patrol for doing their job and stopping these people and preventing them from getting into the country.
Going for the three-peat, Doocy shot one more question off about the Biden administration’s reckless accusations that border agents were whipping migrants at the borderThis was another hoax, and the media didn’t admit it:
DOOCY. And another question regarding something that occurred a few months back at the border. The President was accused of whipping migrants by his mounted Border Patrol officers, but they have now been informed that criminal charges will not be brought against them. When will the President apologize?
PSAKI – There’s a process, and an investigation, that has been through the Department of Homeland Security. It’s not clear if I have an update.
DOOCY. The President claimed that the whippers were criminals and was told by them they won’t be charged.
PSAKI: There was an investigation, and I will let the Department of Homeland Security know if there is any result.
DOOCY. These officers were accused of taking inappropriate and violent measures. Now they are being told that they will not face criminal charges. Do you have an apology?
PSAKI : Peter, the investigation into their behavior is continuing. Whenever there, it’s going to be announced the Department of Homeland Security will announce that and I’m sure we’ll have a comment on it after that…
Then Kelly O’Donnell from NBC News returned to the mask topic and openly frettedPsaki jokingly claimed that more violence could occur on commercial aircrafts. “a great question.”
Last but not least, was a critically important question from The Daily Mail’s Nikki Schwab about Senator Dianne Feinstein’s mental health that most of the media ignored. “Does President Biden have confidence in Senator Dianne Feinstein?” Schwab asked. Psaki was confused and replied, “Biden does.” “she’s a longtime friend, a proud public servant, and someone he has long enjoyed serving with and working with.”
As a response: Schwab followedAsk for more “after that report came out last week questioning her health, did the President reach out to her at all?” Psaki gave a non-answer that she doesn’t “have any updates on private conversations”The press conference was then ended.
Click “expand to view the transcript from the White House Press Conference of April 18, 2018.
White House Press Briefing
ABC News Live
4/18/2022
Eastern, 4:15:10MARY BRUCE, ABC NEWS: The President promised to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030. Now, you have to grow the production of fossil-fuels. We know that Congress has not acted on many of the climate proposals you made, even though they promised to reduce them. Is President Obama’s climate agenda and ambitious goal still achievable? These new leases might jeopardize that pledge.
JEN PSAKI (Reply to Jen): These leases do not align with the policy of our office or President’s views.
BRUCE
PSAKI: Yes, it is. We’ll continue to fight this legal action. We will continue fighting this legal action, that’s for sure. However, I believe that President Trump remains dedicated to the fight against the legal action. Addressing the climate crisis was the fourth pillar that he brought in. He ran for President again, and he will fight to keep that goal. That is the reason he was elected President. We continue to offer and continue to recommend that he continue his presidency. We will discuss the historic investments in climate change with Congress. There are many ways that can get there, and we will continue working with Congress to make sure they take action. But he also has not hesitated taking actions through his own authority to address climate change.
BRUCE
PSAKI: It is a goal we are still pursuing, and we will continue to make every effort to achieve it.
(…)
Eastern at 4:26.26
PSAKI: Go ahead.
PETER DOOCY (FOX NEWS CHANNEL): Thank you, Jen. You said about this mask ruling out of a federal court in Florida that it’s a disappointing decision and you say you continue to recommend that people wear masks. What is the difference between sitting in the White House briefing area with masks and being able to sit on an airplane with masks in place?
PSAKI : Peter, I am not a physician. It’s not my knowledge that you’re a doctor. I was not aware that you are a doctor. Until today, Okay? No, I am not a physician. This is just to make sure. Um.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER
PSAKI: PSAKI does not play one in TV. Here you are. Most days. However, these individuals remember that masking guidelines are there to help them recognize the difference between red and yellow. They are not suggesting it as we’re currently located in the green zone of Washington, D. C. If they wish, some people are still able to wear masks. Many people still wear masks.
DOOCY. Would the President then support that a flight departs from an airport located in a green-zone, so those who are on board don’t have masks to protect their faces?
PSAKI, Peter. Since the beginning, there have been differences in how people travel by plane and in federal vehicles. These situations are different from where they live in places like Washington D.C. which is a green area. What we asked for was, in my opinion, a 2-week extension.
DOOCY: Okay, let’s move on to a new topic. According to new reports, at least 23 of those arrested at the Southern border’s southern border in 2021 were on the terror watchlist. You guys wonder why someone who is on a terror list would wish to enter the United States un-assisted.
PSAKI: I’m not able to make an opinion on that. However, I can assure you that the Border Patrol did their job. You mean they arrested people at the border.
DOOCY – Last month saw 2,000 illegal aliens get away. Do you think you could say that none of these illegal immigrants are on any terror watch lists?
PSAKI: We’re referring to encounters that we have with suspected terrorists trying to cross the southern frontier. These are extremely rare. We’re talking about a few dozen annual encounters at most at most, and these encounters represent significantly less than the 0.1% of total encounters per fiscal year in recent years, but I’d note these individuals, these 23 people, the Border Patrol, they stopped them. They blocked their entry to the country. They are protecting the homeland and keeping us safe.
DOOCY
PSAKI: He’s grateful to the Border Patrol for doing their job and stopping these people and preventing them from getting into the country.
DOOCY. And another question regarding something that occurred a few months back at the border. The President was accused of whipping migrants by his mounted Border Patrol officers, but they have now been informed that criminal charges will not be brought against them. Is the President going to apologise to them?
PSAKI – There’s a process, and an investigation, that has been through the Department of Homeland Security. It’s not clear if I have an update.
DOOCY. The President claimed that the whippers were criminals and was told by them they won’t be charged.
PSAKI: There was an investigation, and I will let the Department of Homeland Security know if there is any result.
DOOCY. These officers were accused of taking inappropriate and violent measures. Now they are being told that they will not face criminal charges. Do you have an apology?
PSAKI : Peter, the investigation into their behavior is continuing. The Department of Homeland Security will make the announcement. After that, I think we’ll be able to comment. Go ahead!
KELLY O’DONNELL (NBC NEWS): Back on the mask issue as the debate is going on about next steps. Does the White House have any concerns about this matter now that some Americans know of the Florida judge’s decision and that it may lead to some tensions like we saw on planes these past few months? We will not be satisfied until there is a solution.
PSAKI: Yeah, Kelly. It’s a great question. It’s obvious that we want to promote calm, and this decision just came out today. Everyone involved, including all government agencies and authorities, wants to determine the next steps quickly. That’s our goal, and we will do all we can to stop it.
(…)
Eastern at 4:53 p.m.
NIKKI SCHWAB (DAILY MAIL): Thank you, Jen. Is President Biden confident in Senator Dianne Feinstein
PSAKI: Does he have conf—?
SCHWAB: Confidence in Senator Feinstein?
PSAKI: Yes. She’s a longtime friend, a proud public servant, and someone he has long enjoyed serving with and working with.
SCHWAB. Did President Obama reach out after the report last week that questioned her health?
PSAKI: No updates regarding private conversations.
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