White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was questioned on Tuesday regarding the optics of Kamala Harris vacationing in Hawaii while hundreds of Democratic National Committee (DNC) staffers were laid off without severance pay.

Sep 2th 2024 Washington DC The House Press Press Briefing By Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and the office of Intergovernmental Affairs Tom Perez talked at today press briefing

During the White House press briefing, Fox News White House correspondent Mark Meredith asked Jean-Pierre whether Joe Biden thought it was “appropriate” for Harris to take a vacation as DNC staffers, many of whom had been loyal to the party, faced uncertain futures without compensation.

Meredith referenced a recent statement from the DNC Staff Union, which expressed frustration over the layoffs, noting that many staffers were shocked and dismayed by the lack of severance pay.

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“This week, the DNC Staff Union put out a pretty scathing note saying that so many DNC staffers have gotten laid off, no severance. They were shocked,” Meredith said. “Does the president think that’s appropriate when so many DNC staffers are literally wondering what they’re going to do for work next?”

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a Get Out The Vote campaign rally Friday, November 1, 2024, at Little Chute High School in Little Chute, Wisconsin.

Jean-Pierre responded to the inquiry, first addressing the broader question about Biden’s pro-union stance, saying, “Let’s not twist this in so many knots here. First of all, to your first part of your question, it’s not the president who called himself the most pro-union president. It’s other unions that have called him that, and he is proud to be called the most pro-union president ever.”

She added that the recognition was not a “frivolous statement,” citing Biden’s actions to support union members and workers throughout his presidency.

However, when pressed about the optics of Harris taking a vacation in light of the layoffs, Jean-Pierre did not directly address the concerns about timing or appearance.

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Instead, she reiterated that Harris had taken time off to spend with her family, stating, “The vice president has taken time off to go spend time with her family. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. I think she deserves some time to be with her family and to have some downtime. She has worked very hard over — for the last four years, and her taking a couple of days to be with her family, good for her. Good for her.”

Jean-Pierre’s response seemed to dismiss concerns over the optics, focusing instead on the idea that Harris had earned the time off.

As the briefing continued, Jean-Pierre abruptly ended the session, leaving the room after the brief exchange.

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This interaction comes amid increased scrutiny of the Biden administration’s handling of the DNC layoffs and the ongoing struggles within the party.

The DNC staffers who were laid off are reportedly facing challenges, with some expressing disbelief at the lack of severance and the impact on their livelihoods.

The timing of the vacation, while defended by Jean-Pierre, highlights the contrast between the Kamala’s actions and the difficult circumstances many Democratic staffers are currently facing.