White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki is stressing she takes the comments White House Deputy Press Secretary TJ Ducklo made to a Politico reporter “very seriously.”
Ducklo reportedly tried to kill a story about a personal relationship of his being pursued by Politico’s Tara Palmeri using threats and other derogatory speech.
According to sources, Ducklo told Palmeri he would “destroy” her. He also said she was “jealous” of his relationship with Axios political reporter Alexi McCammond.
Ducklo later sent a note to Palmeri apologizing, but failed to address the details or say he was sorry for making threats toward her and sexually harassing her.
After Vanity Fair published the report, the White House revealed Ducklo’s suspension.
“With the approval of the White House Chief of Staff, he has been placed on a one-week suspension without pay. In addition, when he returns, he will no longer be assigned to work with any reporters at Politico,” Psaki wrote on Twitter on Friday.
She continued, “In addition to his initial apology, he has sent the reporter a personal note expressing his profound regret. TJ Ducklo has apologized to the reporter, with whom he had a heated conversation about his personal life. He is the first to acknowledge this is not the standard of behavior set out by the President.”
With the approval of the White House Chief of Staff, he has been placed on a one-week suspension without pay. In addition, when he returns, he will no longer be assigned to work with any reporters at Politico.
— Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) February 12, 2021
TJ Ducklo has apologized to the reporter, with whom he had a heated conversation about his personal life. He is the first to acknowledge this is not the standard of behavior set out by the President.
— Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) February 12, 2021
During her press briefing on Friday, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins asked Psaki whose idea it was to suspend Ducklo for one week instead of firing him and how the administration could keep Ducklo in a role dealing with female reporters when he made these comments.
“I take this very seriously. I am a woman obviously, but I’ve been in this town working in press and communications for nearly 20 years… many of you know many people in this building, including the president who take these allegations quite seriously,” Psaki said.
Watch her comments below:
WATCH: @PressSec Jen Psaki answers questions from @kaitlancollins and others on @TDucklo's one-week suspension.
— CSPAN (@cspan) February 12, 2021
Psaki: "I take this very seriously…TJ…has apologized to the reporter quite shortly after the comments were made." pic.twitter.com/0RPEYZTBW6
Collins questioned Psaki about what she is planning to do about the alleged sexist comments Ducklo made toward Palmeri
“It’s completely unacceptable. He knows that. We’ve had conversations about that. That is why… my colleague Kate Bedingfield reached out to an editor at [Politico] Playbook to convey our apology,” Psaki explained.
Another reporter pointed out a statement the president made on inauguration day about refusing to tolerate this kind of behavior.
The reporter noted Biden said, “I promise I will fire you on the spot… no ifs ands or buts if they speak down to or disrespect their colleagues.”
He asked Psaki if she thinks Ducklo’s suspension falls short of his promise.
She said of his suspension, “That, in our view, was an important step to send the message that we don’t find it acceptable.”