White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre snapped at a reporter who said he has not gotten to ask a question in four months on Tuesday.
National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby spoke at the White House press briefing to provide additional comments regarding U.S. involvement in Ukraine. The Frontier Post managing editor Jalil Afridi was allowed to ask Kirby a question, when he requested if he could have two questions after being passed over for months.
“Mr. Kirby, I’m getting a chance after four months, so I hope I can ask just two questions,” Afridi said.
“Uh, it’s up to Karine,” Kirby responded, gesturing to the side where the press secretary stood.
John Kirby on White House podium
National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby was answering questions when a reporter remarked that he hadn’t asked a question in four months. (White House)
“Right? I mean, after that statement, that leaves you with one question,” Jean-Pierre said, as some in the room reacted with laughter.
“So, should I combine them—” Afridi clarified.
“I think you’re wasting our time, sir,” Jean-Pierre fired back. “Can you please ask a question?”
Afridi then proceeded to ask Kirby about Pakistan’s involvement in Ukraine as well as pushback against President Biden by Pakistanis after Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s ousting and imprisonment.
The remark resembled a similar complaint from Today News Africa Chief White House correspondent Simon Ateba back in March. At the time, he claimed that he had not been able to ask the press secretary a question in seven months, leading to a chaotic outburst.
Karine Jean-Pierre Simon Ateba
Karine Jean-Pierre previously sparred with Today News Africa Chief White House Correspondent Simon Ateba after the latter claimed he was not allowed a question in several months. (Fox News Digital)
“This is not China. This is not Russia. What you are doing you’re making a mockery of the First Amendment,” Ateba said.
Jean-Pierre later remarked on the incident with Ateba, saying, “As you know, this is the White House press briefing room. A historic room. A room that should have decorum. A room where folks should respect their colleagues and respect the guests that are here. And I understand that there’s going to be give and take. That’s the way the press briefing has gone for decades before me.”
Jean-Pierre also recently ignored a question Monday about there being “no seat” in the press room for disabled journalists as Biden was celebrating the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“Karine, about disability. There’s no seat here in this room for disabled journalists,” the reporter remarked.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has previously ignored what some consider to be difficult questions. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
The reporter again said, “This room has no seat for a handicapped journalist,” as the press secretary left the podium at the end of the briefing and was ignored.
