Was What Biden Said True? Jean-Pierre, Three Times: 'I'm Not Going to Go Beyond What the President Said' (October 2, 2023)

The day after Congress averted a shutdown, President Joe Biden was asked whether he could trust Speaker Kevin McCarthy. “Mr. President, are you going to be able to trust Speaker McCarthy when the next deal comes around?” a reporter asked on Oct. 1, 2023. “We just made one about Ukraine. So, we’ll find out,” Biden said [1].

The next day, the White House would not say what deal he meant. “Was what he said true?” a reporter asked Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. “I’m not going to go beyond what the President said,” she answered, according to the official White House transcript [2].

The video above shows the exchanges on Oct. 1 and Oct. 2, 2023. Quotes are from the official White House transcripts and the Clerk of the House [1][2][3][4].

”No Ukraine Funding in This Agreement”

In his remarks, Biden said the stopgap bill left Ukraine out. “There’s no Ukraine funding in this agreement,” he said [1].

“I fully expect the Speaker to keep his commitment for the secure passage and support needed to help Ukraine as they defend themselves against aggression and brutality,” Biden said [1].

Asked whether he worried McCarthy would be forced to back away from any deal, Biden said: “I hope this experience for the Speaker has been one of a personal revelation. I’m not being facetious. I — anyway —” [1]

“How We’re Going to Win”

The first question at the briefing was about McCarthy’s objection. A reporter Jean-Pierre called Josh said McCarthy “has said he has not spoken with President Biden on Ukraine, and that his objection to the funding is that the White House has not shown, quote, ‘how we’re going to win and what is our mission.’” Then: “What does winning look like in Ukraine?” [2]

“I — look, I don’t have any conversations to — to read out or a planned conversation with the Speaker,” Jean-Pierre said. She did not say what winning looked like. Instead, she said the money was for “the brave people in Ukraine to fight for their freedom.” [2]

Biden had been asked the day before how long the money would last. “We have time. Not much time. And there’s a s- — overwhelming sense of urgency,” he said [1].

”Some Secret Deal”

At the briefing, a reporter brought up a Republican critic. “We just heard Matt Gaetz again on the floor, insisting there’s been some secret deal made between the President —” the reporter said, then finished: ”— and the Speaker.” [2]

“I’ll leave Matt Gaetz to speak for himself and what he — what he meant on whatever he just said,” Jean-Pierre answered. “When it relates to what the President said, I’m certainly not going to go beyond what he said.” [2]

“Why Would the President Say That He Made a Deal?”

The reporter who had asked Biden the question followed up. “Yesterday, when I asked the President about the prospect of future deals with Speaker McCarthy, he said you — ‘We just made one about Ukraine.’ But it sounds like you’re saying they didn’t just make one about Ukraine.” [2]

“What I’m saying is that we know that there’s bipartisan support — right? — for Ukraine funding,” Jean-Pierre said [2].

“Well, why would the President say that he made a deal if he didn’t?” the reporter asked. Then: “Did the Speaker provide some kind of back-channel assurance that he would bring Ukraine funding —” [2]

“Well, no, I don’t even think the Speaker needs to do back channel,” Jean-Pierre said [2].

”Was What He Said True?”

“Is it possible the President made a deal that you don’t know about?” a reporter asked. “I’m just — I’m just saying that I’m not going to go beyond what the President said. Just not going to go beyond that,” Jean-Pierre said [2].

“Was what he said true?” the reporter asked. “I’m not going to go beyond what the President said,” she said [2].

“So you won’t say that it — what he said was true?” “I’m not going to go beyond what the President said.” [2]

“You’re declining to say that what he said was true?” the reporter asked. “I just answered. Go ahead,” Jean-Pierre said [2].

”It Is Not Up to Us to Decide”

Another reporter asked about McCarthy’s job. “How critical is it for the White House that Speaker McCarthy remain in power for the time being?” [2]

“It is not up to us to decide. It really isn’t,” Jean-Pierre said. “That is up to the House Democrats and House Republicans more — more — more specifically, House Republicans to decide on that.” [2]

By the Numbers

3: times Jean-Pierre said she was “not going to go beyond what the President said” [2].
216-210: the House vote that removed McCarthy as Speaker [3].
208: Democrats who voted to remove him, with eight Republicans [3].
220: votes that elected Mike Johnson Speaker [4].

What Happened Next

McCarthy was out the next day. On Oct. 3, 2023, the House adopted H.Res. 757, “Declaring the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant,” 216 to 210. All 208 Democrats voting backed it, joined by eight Republicans. Another 210 Republicans voted no [3].

Johnson took the gavel. On Oct. 25, 2023, Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana was elected Speaker with 220 votes to 209 for Democrat Hakeem Jeffries [4].

For McCarthy’s first 100 days as Speaker, see HYGO News’ page on April 17, 2023. For the debt talks earlier that year, see the page on Steve Scalise and Biden’s taxes.