Reporters laid into White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Friday over reports she plans to leave the position to pursue a job with MSNBC as a network host, according to Mediaite.
After deflecting a question from CBS News White House correspondent Ed O'Keefe about the validity of the reports, O'Keefe asked a follow-up question regarding the ethics of negotiating with a media organization while holding the press secretary position.
"Just because this has been raised by our colleagues, by people who are observing this process, is it ethical for you to continue to be conducting this job while negotiating with a media outlet?" O'Keefe asked.
Psaki denied the suggestion and provided a lengthy response to the reporter.
"I have always gone over and above the stringent ethical and legal requirements of the Biden administration, and I take that very seriously," she replied. "As a standard for every employee at the White House, I have received rigorous ethics counseling, including as it relates to any future employment.
"I complied with all requirements and gone beyond. I've taken steps to recuse myself from decisions as appropriate."
The press secretary was then pressured further by NBC News' Kristen Welker.
"Jen, given the reports that have been confirmed by multiple media outlets, how can you continue to be an effective briefer if you do in fact have plans to join a media outlet?" Welker asked.
Psaki responded to Welker saying that "at whatever time" she leaves the White House, she will spend time with her young children and sleep. She further pleaded that she is acting legally and ethically.
"The question is: How is it ethical to have these conversations with media outlets while you continue to have a job standing behind that podium?" Welker continued to push.
Psaki responded by saying: "There are a range of stringent ethical and legal requirements that are imposed on everybody in this administration and many administrations past about any conversations you are having with future employers. That is true of any industry you're working in, and I have abided by those and tried to take steps to go beyond that as well."
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