Biden administration condemns left-wing violence after being pressed by Fox News
January 26, 2021
After five days in office, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki issued a statement condemning the post-election left-wing riots in Portland, Oregon, after being repeatedly pressed on the issue by Fox News’ Peter Doocy.
Up until the inauguration, the media narrative on the riots in Portland was in response to President Donald Trump and his policies.
However, once Biden was inaugurated the riots resumed, resulting in the vandalization of the Democratic Party headquarters and an ICE building.
Doocy asked Psaki why Biden hasn’t denounced the protests now that he is in office during a press conference on Monday.
“President Biden, now-President Biden, condemned protests and violence on the far right and far left before he was president,” Doocy said. “Why haven’t we heard anything directly from him about the riots in Portland and the Pacific Northwest since he was inaugurated?”
At first, Psaki deflected, saying that Biden would be talking with reporters later in the day – suggesting that he may answer the question at that time before condemning the violence on the administration’s behalf.
“I will say from here that President Biden condemns violence and any violence in the strongest possible terms. Peaceful protests are a cornerstone of our democracy, but smashing windows is not protesting and neither is looting,” Psaki said. “Actions like these are totally unacceptable and anyone who committed a crime should be prosecuted to the fullest extent.”