White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki insists critics of Vice President Kamala Harris‘ comparison of the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol to the attack on Pearl Harbor and 9/11 terrorist attacks are trying to use the moment as an “excuse” to not address what she says are ongoing threats to democracy.
During a press briefing on Thursday, Psaki was asked if she could “elaborate” on “what the thinking was” behind Harris’ comparison.
“I would first say that as the president also said in his remarks, you know, if we look back to some very difficult moments in our history back in 1861, there were no Confederate flags being waved in the Capitol,” Psaki responded.
She continued, “In very dark moments in our history, there were not people storming our nation’s Capitol and trying to take over the office and even threaten the speaker of the House.”
“So instead of — for those who are being critics of the vice president’s remarks — instead of focusing on or analyzing comparisons of moments in history, I would suggest that they be a part of solving the threat to democracy that occurs today, that is happening today. And they are using this as an excuse not to be a part of that,” Psaki added.
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Harris was criticized for remarks she made during a speech commemorating the one-year anniversary of the riot at the Capitol.
On Thursday morning, she said, “Certain dates echo throughout history, including dates that instantly remind all who have lived through them — where they were and what they were doing when our democracy came under assault.”
“Dates that occupy not only a place on our calendars but a place in our collective memory. December 7th, 1941. September 11th, 2001. And January 6th, 2021,” she added.
President Joe Biden pointed out that for the “first time” the Confederate flag was seen being waved in the Capitol on Jan. 6. He added, “Even during the Civil War, that never, ever happened. But it happened here in 2021.”