CNN Reporter Grills KJP Over Biden’s Sudden Change After The Election
Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre holds a press briefing February 13, 2023, in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Cameron Smith)
CNN reporter MJ Lee questioned White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Thursday about the administration’s sudden change in tone regarding President-elect Donald Trump following his election victory.
Prior to the election, Joe Biden and his administration frequently referred to Trump as an “existential threat to democracy” and a “fascist.”
However, in the weeks since Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris to win a non-consecutive second term, the White House has emphasized the importance of a peaceful transfer of power.
“It’s been more than two weeks since the election, this was an election that elected a man that President Biden has repeatedly referred to as an ‘existential threat,’” Lee said during Thursday’s briefing. “So why is it that the American people have not heard President Biden talk about this threat since the election?”
Jean-Pierre responded by emphasizing the White House’s commitment to respecting the will of the American people. “Because this is an election where the American people spoke and the will of the American people were very clear,” she said.
“And so the president is now in a situation where we have to deal with a peaceful transfer of power, we have to respect the will of the American people and that’s what you have been seeing from this president, trying to lead by example to make sure that happens.”
Despite the administration’s focus on ensuring a smooth transition, Jean-Pierre clarified that Joe Biden’s views on Trump have not changed. “His thoughts and what he said, his thinking on that has not changed. It has not,” she stated. “Right now, he wants to lead by example and talk and show the American people what it’s like to have an efficient, effective transfer of power and he believes that’s what the American people deserve.”
Throughout his presidency, Biden often labeled Trump and his supporters as a threat to democracy.
As recently as October, Jean-Pierre reiterated the administration’s position by calling Trump a “fascist” during a press briefing.
Biden, who dropped out of the 2024 presidential race in July, warned of the dangers of a second Trump term during his campaign.
In a January campaign speech, Biden accused Trump of being “willing to sacrifice our democracy” to stay in power.
In a July interview with NBC’s Lester Holt, Biden alleged that Trump’s rhetoric and promises to pardon Capitol rioters posed a danger to the democratic system.
“I am not engaged in that rhetoric. Now my opponent is engaged in that rhetoric: He talks about it’ll be a bloodbath if he loses, talking about how he’s going to forgive all the actions, I guess suspend the sentences of all those who were arrested and sentenced to go to jail because of what happened in the Capitol.”
Trump and Biden met at the White House on Nov. 13 for a two-hour meeting to discuss the transition period.
Jean-Pierre described the meeting as “gracious” and “substantive,” reflecting an effort by both sides to ensure a smooth handover of power.
While the Biden-Harris administration’s pre-election rhetoric was sharply critical of Trump, the focus has now shifted to demonstrating what Jean-Pierre described as “an efficient, effective transfer of power.”
This shift comes as the White House navigates the transition process ahead of Trump’s inauguration in January.
