Karine Jean-Pierre Punts Twice When Pressed On ‘The View’ About Rep. Jayapal’s Comments on Hamas Sexual Violence

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre deflected twice when pressed on The View about a House Democrat’s widely denounced recent comments.

Jean-Pierre joined the hosts for three segments on Tuesday’s show to talk about a variety of subjects including; where President Joe Biden stands on democracy (he supports it) and the sexual violence committed by Hamas on Israeli women during the terrorist attacks of October 7 (he’s against it). But when asked by co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin about the controversial comments on the same subject that were made by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), the chair of the House Progressive Caucus, Jean-Pierre wouldn’t provide an answer because, she said, she only speaks for the president:

Farah Griffin: The White House has been very unequivocal, as you just were, about the sexual violence carried out against Israeli women. The House Democrats are planning to introduce a resolution this week, both condemning the use of rape in war against Israeli women, seemingly in response to [the] Progressive Caucus chairwoman’s comments this past weekend. Rep. Jayapal basically saying we need to be balanced in our criticism, which seemed was interpreted by many, myself included, to downplay the horrors of the actions of October 7th. Does the White House support this resolution, and do you think the representative needs to clarify her remarks?

Jean-Pierre: So, look, I’m going to let the representative speak for herself. I just can’t speak for her. I speak for the President of the United States. I am the White House press secretary, obviously, so that’s who I speak for. And what I can say, and I said this in Sara [Haines]’s question when I answered it, which is it is when it comes to rape, that’s reprehensible. When it comes to using rape as a weapon of war, that’s reprehensible. We are very, very clear about denouncing Hamas’s actions. And that’s what the president has been clear about.

Farah Griffin tried again, but to no avail:

Farah Griffin: Do you think because of her perch, though, as a progressive leader, she should clarify her remarks?

Jean-Pierre: I speak for the president. She has to speak for herself. We have been very, very clear, very clear.

Watch the full video via ABC.