WH Spox Defends Biden's Wednesday Gaffe

Biden, WH Spox, Late Walorski

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre scrambled to defend President Joe Biden’s gaffe Wednesday where he appeared to search for a deceased congresswoman in a crowd.

The Daily Caller reports the president appeared to call for Republican Indiana Rep. Jackie Walorski to stand up for acknowledgement at a White House conference on nutrition and health Wednesday, seemingly forgetting the congresswoman died in a car crash in August. ABC News reporter Cecilia Vega questioned Jean-Pierre on why he made this mistake during Wednesday’s press briefing.

“The president was, as you all know, you guys were watching today’s event — a very important event on food insecurity,” Jean-Pierre said. 

“The president was naming congressional champions on this issue and was acknowledging her incredible work. He had already planned to welcome the congresswoman’s family to the White House on Friday. There will be a bill-signing in her honor this coming Friday, so of course she was on his mind. She was on top of mind for the president. He very much looks forward to discussing her remarkable legacy of public service with them when he sees her family this coming Friday.”

Karine Jean-Pierre Scrambles To Defend Biden Appearing To Call For Deceased Congresswoman Jackie Walorski https://t.co/GfzTVHQvMx via @dailycaller

— Tom Benson (@Tombenson1) September 28, 2022

Another reporter then pressed the press secretary on her answer that Walorski is “on top of mind” for the president. Jean-Pierre said he made the remark at an event that was honoring her work in food insecurity.

“Karine, I have John Lennon on top of mind just about everyday but I’m not looking around for him anywhere,” the reporter, Newsmax’s James Rosen, said.