On Monday, Fox News’ Peter Doocy asked White House press secretary Jen Psaki if President Joe Biden believes the Department of Justice should prosecute anyone who defies subpoenas related to the Jan. 6 investigation.
The Committee has issued a number of subpoenas already – and they aren’t just limited to Trump aides. They have also issued subpoenas for organizers of the rally near the White House that featured sitting President Trump.
The exchange took place during the White House’s daily press briefing.
CBS's @Weijia Jiang: "Does the President believe people who defy subpoenas should be criminally prosecuted or not?"
Psaki: "It is up to the purview of the Department of Justice to make that decision."
Jiang: "When he was asked that very question on Friday, he said yes…." pic.twitter.com/V8V6t1hfuW
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) October 18, 2021
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Psaki: ‘The President Continues To Believe That January 6 Was One Of The Darkest Days In Our Democracy’
Doocy noted that Biden had once promised not to ask the DOJ to pursue criminal investigations.
“Why did the president break his promise not to enter into any decisions about what cases the Justice Department should bring and not bring?” Doocy asked, noting that Biden had said “yes” on Friday when asked if the DOJ should prosecute anyone who refuses subpoenas from the January 6 Committee.
As has become commonplace, Psaki ignored the actual question in order to press the narrative sought by the White House.
Psaki replied, “The president continues to believe that January 6 was one of the darkest days in our democracy.”
“He also continues to believe that the Department of Justice has the purview and independence to make decisions about prosecutions,” Psaki added. “That continues to be his view and that continues to be how he will govern.”
Doocy wasn’t willing to let it slide, and shot back, “You say that that is his view, but that is not what he said.”
Psaki responded, “I just conveyed what his view is and that is how he has operated, how he has governed and how he will continue to govern, and I think that’s what’s important for people to watch.”
She did not answer why Biden himself had given a different answer last week.
Another reporter then hit Psaki with the same questions.
Weija Jiang from CBS asked the White House press secretary, “Just to be clear, does the president believe people who defy subpoenas should be criminally prosecuted or not?”
“The committee is completely in solidarity” GOP Rep. Liz Cheney told me when I asked her if all 1/6 committee members believe that criminal contempt should be the next step (and quickly) for those who evade subpoena deadlines.
— Annie Grayer (@AnnieGrayerCNN) October 13, 2021
Subpoenas Are Already Flying
Psaki answered, “It’s up the the purview of the Department of Justice to make that decision. He believes it’s an independent decision that should be made by the Department of Justice, and they’ll make that decision.”
The House Select Committee investigating the January 6 Capitol attack have already issued subpoenas to former Trump administration officials and supporters.
Last week, ‘Never Trump’ Rep. Adam Kinzinger even claimed that President Trump and former VP Mike Pence could be on the receiving end of subpoenas.
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