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Psaki Shuts Down Fox Reporter Who Suggests It's Biden's Fault Oil Companies Aren't Producing More
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki shut down a Fox News reporter who suggested that it is President Joe Biden's fault that oil companies aren't producing more and offered several illogical schemes to lower gas prices and end American involvement in the Russian energy sector.
Fox News White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich, with whom Psaki has sparred before, had asked why the White House isn't increasing domestic energy production.
The problem with that question: The White House has no control over it.
You can watch their exchange in the video below
Asked if steps were being considered to boost US oil production, Psaki says, "You think the oil companies don't have enough money to drill on the places that have been pre-approved?...I would point that question to them and we can talk about it more tomorrow when you learn more."pic.twitter.com/IWPwZ1QTcO— ABC News (@ABC News) 1646333050
When Psaki reminded Heinrich that "there are 9000 approved oil leases that the oil companies are not tapping into currently" and urged her to direct her question to oil companies themselves, Heinrich asked her to explain "if there is anything the administration can do to get those providers back to pre-pandemic levels."
Psaki issued a blunt response, stressing her prior point that Heinrich's question would be better suited for the oil companies:
"Do you think the oil companies don't have enough money to drill on the places that have been pre-approved? I would point that question to them and we can talk about it more tomorrow when you learn more."
And when Heinrich asked her if the politically contentious (and since abandoned) Keystone XL pipeline and "energy-friendly policies might do that," Psaki was even more firm:
"The Keystone pipeline has never been operational. It would take years for that to have any impact. I know a number of members of Congress have suggested that but that is a proposed solution that has no relationship or would have no impact on what the problem is."
Heinrich took this answer as an affirmation that the United States would continue to purchase "more Russian oil," a suggestion that prompted Psaki to remind her that she is familiar with the Biden administration's steps to address the matter, which she referred to as "a historic release from this strategic petroleum reserve."
But Psaki's response was cut short after Heinrich asked her if buying Russian oil means the United States is "financing the war" between Russia and Ukraine.
Psaki dismantled Heinrich's line of questioning, stressing that the United States gets roughly 10 percent of its crude oil and refined products from Russia, a small share that it could likely replace with other sources if Russian supply lines are cut:
"Well, Jackie, again, it's only about 10% of what we're importing. I've not made any announcement about any decision on that front."
"But our objective here and our focus is making sure that any step we take maximizes the impact on President Putin and minimizes it on the American people and anyone who's calling for an end to the carve-out should be clear that that would raise prices."
The exchange quickly went viral, with many praising Psaki and criticizing Heinrich for asking misleading questions.
Hey #GOP, why isn\u2019t there drilling going on? Maybe price rigging? You should ask better questions of your special interests rather than complain about things you apparently don\u2019t understandhttps://twitter.com/abc/status/1499455608185102343\u00a0\u2026— Jim Saranteas (@Jim Saranteas) 1646489357
When she drops the reporters name in her answer....you know that reporter is getting crossed up! https://twitter.com/abc/status/1499455608185102343\u00a0\u2026— John Cannady (@John Cannady) 1646401809
So glad she doesn't suffer fools gladly, kindly, or endlessly.https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1499455608185102343\u00a0\u2026— Lynda CharlaMAYNE Harris (@Lynda CharlaMAYNE Harris) 1646401273
This answer is perfect. So where you at? @bp_America @Shell @exxonmobil Record high profits shouldn\u2019t result in record high prices at the pump. Do your part.https://twitter.com/abc/status/1499455608185102343\u00a0\u2026— Sally R (@Sally R) 1646416247
This is what happens when you have qualified people in your Cabnet. @PressSec is pretty much the bomb. I wish @FoxNews would cover these answers.https://twitter.com/abc/status/1499455608185102343\u00a0\u2026— Huey Lewis Is The News (@Huey Lewis Is The News) 1646382989
Fox News correspondent Jacqui Heinrich suggests that the government should demand that domestic oil companies get back to pre-pandemic production levels. Wouldn\u2019t that fall under the \u201cgovernment overreach\u201d column?https://twitter.com/abc/status/1499455608185102343\u00a0\u2026— David James Peterson \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@David James Peterson \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1646415945
I can\u2019t handle these Keystone Pipeline suggestions anymore. IT HAS NEVER BEEN OPERATIONAL. Stop being stupid.https://twitter.com/abc/status/1499455608185102343\u00a0\u2026— M. Mads (@M. Mads) 1646427276
Reporter gets schooled for brainless oil industry talking points question. #USPressSechttps://twitter.com/ABC/status/1499455608185102343\u00a0\u2026— Kevin Tomaszewski (@Kevin Tomaszewski) 1646395683
What's so amazing & appreciated is having someone like #JenPsaki who is completely knowledgeable about our toughest issues each & everyday. No misinformation, no lies & no gaslighting. Gawddamn refreshing.https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1499455608185102343\u00a0\u2026— Robert L. I. (@Robert L. I.) 1646415083
Psaki and Heinrich sparred last month after Heinrich suggested that "crime is not a priority of this administration," misconstruing comments Psaki had made about high crime rates being overhyped by Fox News and other conservative media outlets.
Psaki got right to the point, noting that her observations that "there’s an alternate universe on some coverage" and that many people "watch that and they think that the president isn’t doing anything to address people’s safety in New York" were simply a response to a chyron on Fox News, the very network Heinrich works for.