Federal Ethics Watchdog Pushes for Investigation of White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki could be in major trouble. Indeed, she may have committed illegal activity which would warrant action to be taken against her. We will wait and see. But there is every reason to suppose that Psaki could be the target of a significant investigation. We are excited to see what will happen.

What did Psaki do to merit such a reaction? She attacked Fox News in her office as Press Secretary. She said the following about Fox News and Peter Doocy:

“He works for a network that provides people with questions that, nothing personal to any individual including Peter Doocy, but which might make anyone sound like a stupid son of a b****.”

She gave him a disingenuous compliment later, mostly to assuage the coming onslaught. But the damage was already done. That was a very hurtful, and indeed, despicable, thing to say. And it is even worse to think she is uttering the thoughts of a sitting US President, who first said that awful comment. Like Psaki, Biden apologized long after the damage was done.

That is not permissible. In fact, this is not the first time Jen Psaki has shown no respect for the rule of law. She did endorse Terry McAuliffe for Governor in her office as Press Secretary. She got in trouble for that. But will she get in trouble for her most recent action?

Since Psaki is likely headed to MSNBC, and she represents the White House in an official capacity, it is likely that she at least acted outside the realm of morality. But one could mount a very substantial argument that she also acted illegally by leveraging her position to attack a free press outlet.

We agree, but Protect The Public’s Trust, a watchdog organization, is going a step further. They want to launch an investigation into Psaki:

“Today, federal ethics watchdog Protect the Public’s Trust requested an investigation into possible ethics violations by White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. Ms. Psaki’s statements and actions in the wake of widespread media reporting that she has been in negotiations to leave federal service for a role with a major media outlet appear inconsistent with her own promise to set “an example of engagement and transparency.”

As Protecting the Public Trusts Director Michael Chamberlain told the Washington Examiner:

“Jen Psaki’s reported efforts to secure a job with a major news organization while she serves as White House press secretary created a gauntlet of ethical obstacles. Despite her statements to the contrary, she appears to be willing to simply plow through without any regard to these additional obligations. Her latest [action]… while seeming to act in her official capacity — appears to be a misuse of her official position.

Under the circumstances, it’s hard to see how the American public would not perceive the appearance of a conflict of interest.”

These allegations are significant. If Psaki is vindicated, we will be happy. We do not wish ill on anyone. But we do hope that justice and truth are found in an investigation. It does seem as though she was acting unethically and perhaps even illegally.