White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki is explaining why the White House has not condemned the leak of a draft of a Supreme Court opinion.
NBC News’ Peter Alexander asked, “Why wouldn’t the White House condemn this leak? Are there any concerns, do you have concerns, about the, sort of, further politicization of one of the branches of government?”
“Have you ever reported anything that’s been leaked to you?” Psaki shot back.
Alexander responded, “I am and you guys have criticized leaks before as it’s been provided. You’ve criticized it in the past. Why not criticize this leak?”
“Again, because I think what is happening here, and what we think is happening here, is there’s an effort to distract from what the actual issue here [is],” the press secretary explained.
She added that she does not believe the leak and the substance of the leak to be “on the same level.”
Watch the video below:
NBC’s Peter Alexander goes back-and-forth with Press Sec. Jen Psaki over the White House not condemning the Supreme Court leak.
— The Recount (@therecount) May 5, 2022
Psaki: “There is an effort to distract from the actual issue … This is not about the leak, this is about women’s health care.” pic.twitter.com/Lk2SI1ouva
Still, Alexander asked, “So they’re not at the same level, but would you agree that it’s still worthy of condemnation?”
“Well, look, I think there has been a call for an investigation by leaders of the Supreme Court. Decisions on that and how it will be pursued will be made by the Department of Justice and others. And that’s certainly their space and right to make that decision in government. That’s how government is set up,” Psaki said.
She continued, “But at the same time, what we’ve also seen, Peter, is many Republicans, who are trying to overturn a woman’s fundamental rights, try to make this about the leak.”
“This is not about the leak. This is about women’s healthcare and women having access to healthcare and making choices with their doctors,” Psaki added.
On Monday, Politico published a report based on a leaked draft of an opinion that appeared to indicate the Supreme Court would overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Supreme Court confirmed that the leaked draft was authentic.
However, the statement said that the draft “does not represent a decision by the Court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case.”
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris condemned the opinion.
However, they did not condemn the leak.
And earlier this week, Psaki did not condemn the leak and stressed that the White House is focused on the contents of the opinion instead.