White House press secretary Jen Psaski held a briefing on Wednesday and was asked by White House correspondent Hunter Walker whether the government considers the January 6 uprising on Capitol Hill an attempted “coup”.
Video transcription
– I want to ask questions on two fronts here. First of all, you know, it’s been over a month since the attack on the Capitol on January 6. And we received no public instruction from the Capitol Police. Many people have expressed concerns about this. Does President Biden want to see that kind of instruction? And also on a similar note, what does he think about efforts like Congressman Jamal Bowman’s to establish an investigation or Congressional commission on the attack on the Capitol?
JEN PSAKI: We certainly leave the decision as to whether there is an investigation in Congress for members of Congress. I saw that proposal. Obviously, there are others who would need to support this to move forward. And I know that several do.
In terms of the timeline for a Capitol Police briefing, you know, I would refer back to them in the timeline. Of course, here in the federal government, there is an investigation underway, as you know, from the Department of Justice. And I refer to them for any reports or updates there.
– And a second question. You know, obviously, the president is going to address the coup in Myanmar today. You know, he is, I suppose, speaking out against it and acting there. You and Secretary of State Blinken talked about how the January 6 attack makes, I think, the Secretary of State said, a bigger challenge. You said it will take the United States some time to regain its status as a beacon of leadership.
In addressing this, how important is it to have responsibility for attacking the Capitol, potentially including impeachment, since we want to spread democracy abroad?
JEN PSAKI: Well, I think what Secretary Blinken and I were referring to is the fact that, to project to other countries around the world that there should be a protection of democracy, that there should be freedom of expression, that there should be freedom of expression, we have to behave that way from here. And the pieces we have control over are what the President of the United States does, what the Secretary of State does and how we all conduct ourselves in this government.
He spoke, when I started the briefing speaking, of his views on the horrific events of January 6 and the fact that it was an attack on our democracy here. He made these statements because that was how he felt. It is also important to make this clear to the public and the world. But in terms of what steps will be taken from here, we leave that to the Senate.
– Obviously, we are calling a coup what happened in Myanmar. Do you think this is an accurate description of what happened on January 6?
JEN PSAKI: I will not give new definitions. Obviously, there is an ongoing process. I’m sure you will all be watching today as the Senate proceeds with hearings. I appreciate your creativity.