White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declared Monday that Muslims have “endured a disproportionate number of hate-fueled attacks” when asked if the Biden administration was concerned about the potential rise of antisemitism in the wake of the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel.
“Look, we have not seen any credible threats,” Jean-Pierre replied after a reporter asked the White House spokeswoman to detail the administration’s level of concern about the potential rise of antisemitism.
“I know there’s been always questions about credible threats, and so just want to make sure that that’s out there,” she said before immediately switching her sympathies to Muslims.
Continuing to sidestep the original question by offering her sympathy to the Muslim community rather than the Jewish community, she said:
But look, Muslim[s] and those perceived to be Muslim have endured a disproportionate number of hate-fueled attacks, and certainly President [Joe] Biden understands that many of our Muslim Arab, Arab Americans, and Palestinian American loved ones and neighbors are worried about the hate being directed at their communities.
“And that is something you heard the president speak to in his address just last Thursday,” Jean-Pierre continued.
“And so one of the things that the president has done is directed his team, homeland security team, to prioritize prevention and disruption of any emerging threats that could harm the Jewish, the Muslim, Arab Americans or any other communities,” she added, asserting that Biden ran on “protecting communities” and “bringing people together” despite the 80-year-old’s consistent record of demonizing Americans who disagree with him.
“We’re going to continue to denounce any sort of hate towards any American here,” she said, speaking more generally.
“And so that’s what we’re going to continue to be steadfast on,” she concluded, repeating that Biden has “directed his homeland security team to make sure that they’re on top of this.”
"What is [Biden's] level of concern right now about a potential rise of antisemitism?"
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 23, 2023
KARINE JEAN-PIERRE: "Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim have endured a disproportionate number of hate-fueled attacks" pic.twitter.com/q1WYkpbKmn
This is not the first time Jean-Pierre seemingly diverted from the original question, offering sympathy to a group other than the victims of an attack. In March, for example, she offered sympathy to the transgender community after a transgender shooter unleashed carnage on a Nashville Christian school, murdering six individuals.
“Our hearts go out to the trans community, as they are under attack right now,” Jean-Pierre said days after the massacre, pointing to “hateful, hateful bills.”
“But this is a president who has said many times he has their backs. And he will continue to have their backs. And he will continue to fight for them,” she said at the time, also using her remarks to blame guns — not the shooter’s mental health — for the tragedy.
WH press sec: "Our hearts go out to the trans community, as they are under attack right now." pic.twitter.com/fQnRbXUuq7
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) March 30, 2023
