During a press briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Friday denied that President Biden’s primetime speech was “political.”
In his speech, President Biden mentioned former President Donald Trump by name three times and the MAGA movement another 13 times.
Jean-Pierre insisted this was an example of “leadership” and not politics.
“He believes that is important for him to speak very loudly, to have actually the loudest voice when it comes to our democracy. And so for him, this was not a political speech,” she said.
During Biden’s speech in Philadelphia, he claimed the modern-day Republican Party is “dominated” by “MAGA Republicans.”
“There’s no question that the Republican Party today is dominated, driven and intimidated by Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans. And that is a threat to this country,” he said.
He also claimed “Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic.”
“MAGA forces are determined to take this country backwards — backwards to an America where there is no right to choose, no right to privacy, no right to contraception, no right to marry who you love,” Biden continued.
When asked by Fox News’ Peter Doocy if the president considers all Trump supporters a threat to the country, Biden said “I don’t consider any Trump supporters a threat to the country.”
Jean-Pierre was also asked about the uniformed Marines that stood in the background during Biden’s remarks.
CNN reporter Jeremy Diamond asked about “criticisms and questions about why the president delivered what sounded very much like a politically charged speech at an official White House event, taxpayer-funded, with two Marines in uniform.”
“The way we see it here, and I would argue the way many Americans across the country see it, is standing up for democracy is not political,” the press secretary said.
““Denouncing political violence is not political. Defending rights and freedom is not political. Making clear that the challenges facing our nation is not political. We don’t call any of that political,” she added.
Answering the question about the Marines, Jean-Pierre said “you know, our democracy, our values that our men and women who protect us every day, and fight for every day, believe in this.”
“The presence of the Marines at the speech was intended to demonstrate the deep and abiding respect the president has for these service members, to these ideals, and the unique role our independent military plays in defending our democracy, no matter which party is in power,” she explained.
She insisted it was “not abnormal,” noting that it’s “normal for presidents from either side of the aisle to give speeches in front of members of the military, and including President Ronald Reagan, President George H.W. Bush.”
After two CNN hosts questioned the use of military members during the speech, Democrats across social media were quick to have a meltdown.
Hosts Brianna Keilar and Jeff Zeleny were immediately met with criticism and threats after they expressed their opinions.
One person said Keilar “sold her soul,” others said this proves she is “straight up MAGA,” and many claimed CNN is turning into “Baby Fox News.”