While correspondents are supposed to ask questions to keep us informed. New York Times Michael Shear was self-serving here and Jen Psaki proved he should limit his advice.
Jen Psaki schools New York Times Michael Shear
Jen Psaki, the White House Press Secretary did not let New York Times Michael Shear, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, spin her with uninformed advice. And she shunted him well.
Psaki pointed out that there were only two real options available to the president. The first was to put tens of thousands of troops in risking their lives. The other is what they are doing now.
“The option that he has chosen, in coordination and based on the recommendations with his military commanders and advisers on the ground,” Psaki said. “Is to implement an evacuation that has saved the lives potentially of more than 105,000 people, certainly at risk of the men and women who are serving in the military as we saw the events of yesterday. That’s the choice he’s made,”
Michael Shear took exception to her statement.
“But Jen, apologies for my colleagues, but, like, you guys have said repeatedly this idea that there were only two choices,” Shear asked. “What evidence do you have that there weren’t other choices that could have been made?”
Psaki threw it back at him.
“What’s the other choice anyone is offering?” Psaki asked.
Shear offered an uninformed hypothetical that he should have best been quiet about. Psaki, in her always civil manner implied he was uninformed given the planning and the intelligence he is not privy to.