White House press secretary Jen Psaki defends Joe Biden saying 'vast majority' of FBI agents are 'decent, honorable people' after murder of two during child porn raid - claiming he was showing 'support for the work they do'
White House press secretary Jen Psaki defended President Joe Biden saying that the 'vast majority' of FBI agents are 'decent, honorable people' after two were murdered during a child porn raid.
During Wednesday's press briefing, Psaki was asked twice about why Biden delineated in such a way during remarks he made Tuesday from the Oval Office.
'Because I think he believes that the men and women who have been serving our country in a variety of capacities have, you know, been criticized, been - some have been threatened, the roles they're playing have been questioned over the last several years,' Psaki responded on second asking. 'And he wanted to reiterate his support for the important work they do.'
White House press secretary Jen Psaki defended President Joe Biden saying that the 'vast majority' of FBI agents are 'decent, honorable people,' with reporters asking why the president didn't say 'all' agents when expressing condolences
President Joe Biden made the comments Tuesday from the Oval Office after two FBI agents were killed, and another three injured, in a raid in Florida. Biden's phrasing mirrored statements he made as a candidate to appease both police and Black Lives Matter
A massive law enforcement response was on the scene in Sunrise, Florida after several FBI agents were shot while trying to serve a search warrant as part of a violent crimes against children case
NBC's Kristen Welker pointed out that Biden didn't say 'all of them' are decent, honorable people.
'Well, I think the point he's making is that despite reports of, you know, individuals in different areas who may have done things that are problematic, that the vast majority of men and women serving in our law enforcement roles, serving in civil service roles, serving in roles across government to vital and essential work for the American people,' Psaki said.
Biden was in the Oval Tuesday and brought reporters in to watch him sign three immigration-related executive orders.
He started his remarks, however, by saying a few words about the two FBI agents who were killed and the three injured in the raid in Sunrise, Florida, where officers were trying to serve a search warrant as part of a violent crimes against children case.
'I was briefed on this tragedy earlier today, and I know the FBI is gathering information about how this happened, what happened. But I - I can only imagine how these families are feeling today,' the president said.
'You know, one of the things, when you are in a combat zone of the military or you're a FBI agent, or military or a police officer, every family just - when they put that shield on and go out in the morning - dreads the possibility of a call - receiving that phone call,' Biden continued. 'And my heart aches for the families.'
The president said he had yet to reach out to the families and wouldn't do so Tuesday.
'But they put their lives on the line, and it's a hell of a price to pay,' he continued. 'And every single day, every single one of these folks get up and they - by and large - the vast, vast majority of these men and women are decent, honorable people who put themselves on the line.'
'And we owe them,' Biden added.
Biden's comments echoed how the then-candidate split the difference between being respectful to Black Lives Matter, while defending himself against President Donald Trump's black-and-white 'law and order' rhetoric.
After the Memorial Day death of George Floyd, Trump tried to drive a wedge between those who were against racism and those who supported law enforcement.
In comments Biden made, the Democrat tried to indicate he was anti-racist but still supportive of police, saying again and again that the majority were good apples.
On the right, Biden got whacked for making that distinction when talking about dead agents.
Trump's former White House press secretary Sean Spicer, pointing to comments during his Wednesday night Newsmax show, said it 'deserved more blowback than it got' because they were badly timed.
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