White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre is being pressed to explain why she has commented on the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, but not former President Donald Trump’s arrest.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, The New York Times’ Michael Shear asked Jean-Pierre what the “difference” is between commenting on Jan. 6 — as there are still ongoing cases related to the riot — and Trump’s case.
“Jan. 6 was a devastating day. Like … if you guys weren’t there, some of your colleagues were on Capitol Hill. We had law enforcement officers who were attacked,” the press secretary responded, adding, “It was a devastating, devastating day.”
She also noted there were “millions of millions of Americans who watched what was happening on Capitol Hill.”
Jean-Pierre argued it was a “different moment in a different time.”
And despite the questions about the precedent Trump’s arrest will set, she vowed not to comment on a criminal case.
Watch the exchange below:
The New York Times's Michael Shear has done this a few times to KJP and it's an amazing sight.
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) April 4, 2023
Here he was calling out the fact that Biden has "commented on January 6 repeatedly" as there's over 500 ongoing cases.
KJP insisted that "was different" pic.twitter.com/tMT7MPPl3m
However, Shear pressed again about why the White House will not comment on Trump’s case as he said, “There are more than 500 cases involving Americans whose freedom was at risk” related to Jan. 6.
Jean-Pierre responded, “People died, people died, people died.”
Shear shot back, “I don’t need a lecture on the fact that people died.”
However, the press secretary responded, “But you’re lecturing me!”
Shear also noted Trump’s indictment is a first in the country’s history and could have an “effect” on “American democracy.”
“I hear your question. Jan. 6 was a different moment. It just was … people died on that day,” the press secretary insisted.
The exchange comes the same day Trump surrendered to authorities in New York City and pleaded not guilty in an investigation into his alleged role in hush money payments.
President Joe Biden has previously declined to comment on Trump’s indictment.
He also said, “I’m not going to talk about the Trump indictment.”
