White House press secretary Jen Psaki had a heated exchange with a reporter; this was in regard to the issue of transparency about the breakthrough of COVID cases among staffers in the White House.
The Biden administration is trying to be the “most transparent”; the press secretary declines to reveal the number of COVID cases in the White House
BREAKING NEWS: Psaki confirms more breakthrough COVID cases in White House that were not disclosedhttps://t.co/cbm6XfxOwM
— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 20, 2021
During a press briefing on Friday, a reporter raised a question about the COVID cases in the White House. The reporter started his question, by reminding Psaki of how the Biden administration claims that they are trying to be the most transparent administration in history.
The reporter then continued asking that if that is the case, why the press secretary is not releasing the number of COVID cases that the White House has among its vaccinated staffers.
Psaki responded by stating that they are in a “very different place” compared to where they were six or seven months ago. The press secretary also promoted the efficacy of COVID vaccines, stating that they’re decreasing the severity of COVID symptoms.
However, the reporter pressed Psaki again, as she sought a specific answer. She suggested that Psaki should just provide the number of COVID positive cases among White House staffers.
The reporter then asked the press secretary whether she is trying to hide something. Psaki fired back against the reporter, asking why she needs to have the information.
A reporter challenges @PressSec on not releasing the number of breakthrough covid cases among WH staffers:
REPORTER: "Why not just provide the number are you trying to hide something?"@PressSec: "Why do you need to have that information?"
REPORTER: "Transparency…" pic.twitter.com/POVmqkzEFr
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) July 23, 2021
The reporter then explained, it is for “transparency” and it involves the interest of the public. She also added that it will also give the people a better understanding of how breakthrough of COVID cases works in the White House.
Despite continuously being pressed, Psaki still declined to give a specific number of COVID-positive White House staffers. Instead, the press secretary outlined how the CDC tracks the breakthrough of cases all over the United States.
Psaki: Staffers at the White House are not required to get vaccinated
On the other hand, Psaki also mentioned during the press briefing that staffers at the White House are not required to take COVID-vaccine. The press secretary confirmed earlier this week that there have been multiple breakthroughs of COVID-positive cases that happened among White House staffers.
However, Psaki also avoided the question when she was asked whether she would have disclosed that fact, had the media not reported it first.
According to previous reports, there’s at least one staffer of Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who tested positive for COVID-19.
The COVID-positive cases occurred after six Democrat lawmakers from Texas fled to Washington D.C. last week to meet with Democratic lawmakers and to avoid voting for the special election about the integrity bill.
So far, six of the members who fled to the White House tested positive for COVID-19.
