Karine Jean-Pierre is tearing up Republicans after this year’s ‘mass shootings’ of 201: Biden’s press secretary insists he’s done everything he can to stop gun violence — and only Congress can act
- White House press secretary said President Biden is not in control of the issue of gun violence and repeatedly called on Congress to pass gun reform legislation
- Comes after the latest mass shooting at a mall in Allen, Texas that left eight dead
- Biden released a statement after the shooting demanding Congress send him an assault weapons ban
Gun violence issues are now out of the hands of President Joe Biden, his press secretary claimed Monday, saying it is now up to Congress to act to address the “epidemic.”
Karine Jean-Pierre repeatedly dismissed questions related to Biden’s call for Congress to send him an assault weapons ban in the wake of the most recent mass shooting, with several reporters questioning perceived inaction regarding the matter.
The White House press secretary fired back, listing Biden’s 22 executive orders related to gun reform and addressing America’s rise in mass shootings.
It comes after nine people, including children and the gunman, were killed in a mass shooting at a mall in Allen, Texas, on Saturday.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday that the issue of gun violence is now out of the hands of President Joe Biden, repeatedly calling on Congress to pass gun reform legislation
The shooting occurred nearly a year after another mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas in May 2022 that killed 19 students and two teachers.
The president sent a statement denouncing Republicans for not playing ball when it comes to gun reform negotiations, and called on Congress to send a ban on assault weapons to his office for signature.
Jean-Pierre suggested the president can do little more than issue these statements, saying his repeated calls for Congress to act are an indication of that.
“The president is asking Congress to take action because we need legislation,” she insisted during her daily briefing on Monday. “We need federal legislation to address this problem.”
“The president has taken action as president by taking executive action — more than two dozen, because he has taken this very seriously,” she assured. “More than any other president — historic number of actions.”
Biden’s top spokesperson concluded, “I think that should tell you how seriously this president is taking it. I think that should show you how he made this a priority. I think this should also show you that he sees this as an epidemic – gun violence happening across the country and in our communities and our schools.”
While Democrats have pushed for tougher gun laws, Republicans view most gun laws as violating Second Amendment rights.
A reporter urged Jean-Pierre that if Biden is “fully using the bully’s pulpit to push for these actions, he keeps saying he wants Congress to move forward.”
It comes after the latest mass shooting rocked the nation after a gunman opened fire at a mall in Allen, Texas, killing eight, including children, and injuring several others.
“Yes,” said Jean-Pierre matter-of-factly. “I think 20 executives, talking about it over and over again, he’s been very clear about the epidemic we’re seeing in gun violence across the country.”
“We have used the full weight of the administration to do everything we could, use the tools we have to deal with this matter. But the fact remains that we need legislation.’
The press secretary noted that President Biden, first of all Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Lords Doug Emhoff are all frustrated that the number of cases of gun violence is only increasing as more action is taken to crack down on the issue.