In an interview with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, Fox News White House Correspondent Peter Doocy asked about the Biden administration’s shift in position on building the border wall.
In 2019, under Trump’s administration, Congress approved funding to build 20 miles of border wall in Starr County, Texas, and President Joe Biden approved this project. In contrast to one of Trump’s central policies as president, the construction of new walls along the southern border, Biden pledged not to do so throughout his campaign.
President Biden has said he believes the border wall is useless. During Thursday’s press conference, Doocy questioned Jean-Pierre on the subject.
Doocy pointed out in an exchange with KJP that he promised no new wall would be constructed during his presidency. Therefore, there was a shift that no one can figure out.
Jean-Pierre probed as to whether or not everyone wished to break the law. “Do you want us to break the law?” she asked Doocy.
Doocy would have none, pointing out that the administration took the government to court over the student loan forgiveness program and the student loans. He asked why they wouldn’t go to court about constructing a 20-mile wall.
Jean-Pierre claimed they went to Congress because that is where the appropriations happen. We specifically asked them not to put the money toward that goal. They turned that down, and now the administration abided by the rules.
Doocy asked sarcastically if they had to build a border wall, but they didn’t think it would work. Do they plan to tear it down when it’s done?
KJP said she wouldn’t engage in speculative conversation and was just telling Doocy what she knew. She said the evidence suggests that DHS is acting lawfully, and it’s a requirement of DHS dating back to Fiscal Year 2019, which Republicans led. She said the administration has repeatedly asked Congress to reappropriate– and they didn’t, so they are now in compliance with the law.
