Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., slammed the White House press secretary on Monday for giving an obtuse response about a question over concern in the rise of antisemitism, calling it a "weak answer."
Karine Jean-Pierre demurred when asked if the Biden administration was concerned about a potential rise of antisemitism due to the Israel-Hamas conflict, saying we have "not seen any credible threats."
The "simple answer" there was yes, Moskowitz said.
"What a weak answer. And why are you looking in the book? What's the approved answer? The simple answer is yes, you are concerned about the rise of antisemitism. Of course we are also worried about hatred against Muslim Americans. Must do better," Moskowitz posted to X.
In a do-over later, Jean-Pierre took to X: "To be clear: the President and our team are very concerned about a rise in antisemitism, especially after the horrific Hamas terrorist attack in Israel," she posted.
It follows a trend from the White House that seems to be more worried about offending its radical left flank, something Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., called out two weeks ago. McCarthy blasted President Joe Biden and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., for not denouncing the anti-Israel comments made by members of the Squad — Reps. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., and Cori Bush, D-Mo. — linking Israel to an apartheid state — while the innocents were still being slain on Israeli soil by Hamas.
"And if you watched Tlaib, Tlaib said, our country provides billions in unconditional funding to support the apartheid government. The cycle of violence will continue, saying America caused this because we stand with Israel," McCarthy said on Oct. 10.
Jean-Pierre criticized ubiquitous lawmakers who equated the terror brought down by Hamas with anything Israel has done in the past are "wrong," "disgraceful," and "repugnant" instead of identifying them by name — Tlaib and Omar.
Several rank-and-file Democrats had the courage to call out their fellow caucus members by name, but not the Democrats in charge.
"The sad part here is, Biden didn't denounce that. Hakeem Jeffries hasn't denounced that," McCarthy said.
Mark Swanson ✉
Mark Swanson, a Newsmax writer and editor, has nearly three decades of experience covering news, culture and politics.
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