President Joe Biden and members of his administration are apparently not willing to consider that their rhetoric could at all be divisive.
Last week, the president attacked what he called the “extreme MAGA philosophy” as “semi-fascism.” Since then, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called “MAGA Republicans” an “extreme threat” to democracy.
And while critics have pointed out that it is rather divisive to label large swaths of the country a threat, the Biden team apparently is determined that they are taking the right approach.
During a press briefing on Thursday, Jean-Pierre was asked about criticism of Biden’s comments.
“We understand we hit a nerve. We get that,” she responded. “We understand that they’re trying to hide. And we understand that ultra MAGA officeholders want to play games here and dodge accountability for their extreme proposals and actions. But they’re just telling on themselves.”
Watch the video below:
"We understand we hit a nerve."
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) September 1, 2022
KJP responds to Americans who have criticized Joe Biden for calling Republicans "semi-fascist." pic.twitter.com/MgSeYEKUFZ
The exchange comes hours ahead of a prime-time speech Biden is slated to deliver in Philadelphia.
According to CNN, “Biden’s somber assessment of American democracy isn’t likely to generate any cheering from the small in-person audience in front of Independence Hall.”
“Thursday’s remarks will instead adopt a far graver tone, officials say. After tearing into Republicans for what he calls ‘MAGA extremism’ and ‘semi-fascism,’ administration officials say Biden has determined the time is right to provide a serious, sober reckoning on what he regards as growing anti-democratic forces building across the country,” it added.
One official told the network the speech is “not a speech about the former president.” But rather, it will be “about democracy.”
During the same press briefing on Thursday, Jean-Pierre laughably asserted that the speech would not be political.
“This is an opportunity again for the president to directly have a conversation with the American people,” she said.
REPORTER: "Is tonight a political speech?"
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) September 1, 2022
KJP: "No." pic.twitter.com/V6D0emqvzl
The press secretary also called the “MAGA agenda” one of “the most extreme agendas that we have seen.”
How exactly this speech is not going to be political is not clear.
When the president declares that there are “not many real Republicans anymore,” and his press secretary declares that “MAGA Republicans” are “an extreme threat to our democracy, to our freedom, to our rights” that does not make it true.
But it is a very partisan, political claim, and one that can’t just be washed away and repackaged as some nonpartisan statement. Especially when you are branding millions of Americans with views they don’t accept, or views they are not even pushing — like trying to get rid of interracial marriage.
