Earlier this month, the Democratic-led House of Representatives impeached former President Donald Trump for a historic second time, charging him for inciting an insurrection through his months-long disinformation campaign regarding the integrity of American elections.
The Senate will soon begin conducting Trump's impeachment trial. Though the former President is out of office now, the Senate—upon conviction—can still decide whether to bar Trump from holding public office again.
At a Friday daily press briefing, White House press secretary Jen Psaki was asked if President Joe Biden believes the Senate should take the step of banning Trump from public office, noting that Biden made clear during the 2020 campaign he believes Trump is unfit to serve in an elected position.
Watch Psaki's answer below.
The press secretary's response was a straightforward one:
"We'll leave it to Congress. [Biden] ran against him because he thought he was unfit to serve and he's no longer here because President Biden beat him."
Trump's spent months after the 2020 election lying that widespread voter fraud orchestrated by Democrats delivered a false victory to Biden. He repeated these lies to supporters at a "Save America" rally on the day of the joint congressional session to certify Biden's win.
After Trump instructed his supporters to "peacefully and patriotically" march to the Capitol and make their views known, a mob of pro-Trump extremists stormed the Capitol, resulting in the deaths of at least five people and untold amounts of destruction.
Psaki's blunt yet honest answer was refreshing for Trump's critics.
Since reviving daily White House press briefings—a tradition the Trump administration did away with—Psaki's performance as White House press secretary has been praised for its contrast to her predecessors from the last administration.
The House is expected to deliver articles of impeachment to the Senate on Monday.
Jane Rosenberg
Jane Rosenberg
Jane Rosenberg
Jane Rosenberg
Jane Rosenberg
