Biden's Press Secretary Jen Psaki Turns Heads With Space Force Comment
Just about everyone agrees that White House spokesperson Jen Psaki is a breath of fresh air. She has promised to deliver facts on the government's behalf (via Forbes) and brought back a long-standing press tradition which fell by the wayside during the Trump administration (via The Washington Post). She's even invited comparisons to the fictional C.J. Cregg from the popular TV show The West Wing on social media.
But popular as she is with most reporters and viewers, she isn't immune to criticism, particularly when it comes to some of her off-the-cuff comments; and by "some" we mean one (so far, at least) involving a Trump initiative known as "Space Force." The plan, which was originally announced in 2019, was meant to help protect U.S. government assets which are in orbit. These include the GPS satellites that are needed in modern military warfare and it is eventually meant to take over the Defense Department's existing Air Force Space Command. Simply put, it might sound like a joke, except it isn't (via CNET).
And because so little about Space Force is understood, when Jen Psaki was asked by one reporter whether the Biden administration would be keeping Space Force around, Psaki answered, "Wow. Space Force. It's the plane of today," a reference to a previous question about a new red, white, and blue livery for Air Force One as proposed by the Trump administration (via Defense News), before promising to return with an update.
Psaki's comment drew both chuckles and criticism on social media
Jen Psaki's response to the question varied, depending on which side of the aisle you belong to. One Twitter user commented: "I know you think this is negative for her, but all sensible people find it hysterical." Another said: "The White House Press Secretary version of 'Bless your heart' and 'Well aren't you special?' and I am living for this refined level of snark. I have much to learn." But what one person might consider snark could be seen by another person as harsh; which is likely what triggered one critic to say: "This is pretty rude. It's a good question."
True to her word, Psaki returned to social media with an update on Space Force, saying: "We look forward to the continuing work of Space Force and invite the members of the team to come visit us in the briefing room anytime to share an update on their important work." And just to remove any doubts created by this particular tempest in a teacup, Psaki has told reporters that "[t]hey (Space Force) absolutely have the full support of the Biden administration... We are not revisiting the decision to establish the Space Force" (via Reuters).