KJP, a historically incompetent press secretary, is accused of hiding behind obscure law to dodge questions

“As you know, I’m covered by the Hatch Act” Many White House Briefing Room staff are used to hearing this phrase from the White House press secretary. Karine Jean-Pierre. Jean-Pierre invoked the Hatch Act 33 times at the podium, since September.

The Hatch Act, a New Deal-era federal law, prohibits government employees from engaging in political activities or promoting a political campaign — the president and vice president are notably exempted.

Some White House reporters were frustrated by Jean-Pierre’s frequent use the Hatch Act. According to a recent investigation, Jean-Pierre was accused of misuse of the law in order not to face tough questions. Politico report.

Richard Painter, an ex-chief White House ethics lawyer. President George W. Bush administration, says that questions regarding the president’s medical records as he faces a re-election decision are legitimate and unrelated to the Hatch Act.

“It sounds like she’s overly broad in her application of the Hatch Act. It’s just that she doesn’t want to answer a question on the president’s medical records,” Painter.

Karine Jean Pierre, White House press secretary, invoked Hatch Act as a response to 33 questions received since September.
(Susan Walsh/File)

Jean-Pierre refused to answer questions in December citing the Hatch Act. Jean-Pierre was asked whether President Biden would release the results of his physical exam and if other politicians planned on going to Georgia. returning political donations Sam Bankman-Fried, disgraced founder of FTX.

PRESIDENT BIDEN AND KARINE JEAN-PIERRE’S MOST MEMORABLE BATTLES WITH THE PRESS OF 2022

Jean-Pierre repeatedly denied answering questions regarding whether Biden would travel the Peach State prior to Election Day during the Georgia Senate election in December. Incumbent Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., notably refused to say Biden would he campaign alongside him in the lead-up to the race for the second round?

Questions related to the president’s schedule, despite being related to a political campaign, can also be answered without violating the law, according to Painter, who described this line of response as “somewhat evasive.”

“When you look at the Hatch Act, she can’t use her official position to promote his campaign or to attack an opponent,” Painter. 

Jean-Pierre can certainly provide information on the president’s whereabouts and the general nature of his activities, whether political or not, according to Painter.

Fox News Digital was told by a former Trump White House official that Jean-Pierre wants it both ways. He uses the Hatch Act to avoid campaign-related questions, while making outlandishly political statements. “ultra-MAGA” “extreme MAGA” individuals — terms Biden started using in the lead-up to the 2022 midterms to describe some Republican candidates.

Jean-Pierre may have been expressing concern about a legitimate concern in the Biden White House. The Office of Special Counsel — which investigates potential Hatch Act violations — came down on Jean-Pierre’s predecessor, Jen Psaki, for a Hatch Act violation during an October 2021 press briefing where she appeared to endorse former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe during his gubernatorial campaign.

KARINE JEAN-PIERRE FACES BACKLASH AFTER CLAIMING THE BORDER IS NOT OPEN: ‘A BOLD-FACED LIE’

Karine Jean-Pierre (White House Press Secretary) assumed this role in May 2022 following the resignation of Jen Psaki.
(Chip Somodevilla/File)

“Questions related to campaign issues are not necessarily ‘off the table,’ but an employee must take into account all the circumstances of the situation at hand to determine whether answering a question would constitute political activity,” Delaney Marsco was senior legal counsel at Campaign Legal Center. This is a government watchdog organization.

“To me, it makes sense that Karine Jean-Pierre is being careful when she weighs in on things that could be construed as political activity,” Fox spoke to Marsco.

Biden is considering a re-election bid and told reporters that he would announce his decision to the media “early next year,” White House reporters will likely learn more about the Hatch Act in the future.

“This White House believes in the rule of law, and we’ll continue to provide information to members of the media while working within the bounds of federal statutes,” Fox News interviewed Robyn Patterson, White House Assistant Press Secretary.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“More broadly, when it comes to political campaigns and other political activity, we generally will continue to refer you to the DNC and relevant campaigns. If reporters have an issue with the Hatch Act, they have every right to petition their members of Congress to push for changes to the law,” Patterson added.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases