Critics laid into President Joe Biden for failing to condemn pro-abortion protesters’ plans to gather outside the homes of sitting Supreme Court Justices, arguing that he had “effectively endorsed” the protests that followed.
The furor began with a leaked early-decision draft — written by Justice Samuel Alito — indicated that the court could be preparing to overturn landmark abortion rulings Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, prompting outrage among Democrats and pro-abortion advocacy groups.
Pro-abortion group Ruth Sent Us — named for the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg — circulated maps and coordinates in the general vicinity of homes belonging to Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh and called for protesters to gather there.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki addressed the issue late last week, telling Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy during a briefing that there was “no official U.S. Government position” on protesters gathering outside Justices’ private homes.
“We certainly encourage people to keep it peaceful and not resort to any level of violence,” Psaki said after Doocy raised the question.
“He doesn’t care if they’re protesting outside the Supreme Court or outside someone’s private residence?” Doocy asked again.
“I don’t have an official U.S. Government position on where people protest,” Psaki replied. “I want it — we want it of course to be peaceful … I think we shouldn’t lose the point here, the reason people are protesting is because women across the country are worried about their fundamental rights that have been law for 50 years. Their rights to make choices about their own bodies and their own health care are at risk. That’s why people are protesting — they’re unhappy, they’re scared.”
And as the protests began — outside the homes of Justices Roberts and Kavanaugh — people were quick to point out the fact that the White House hade not made any move to condemn them or even discourage them.
Marc Thiessen tweeted, “This is against the law. He has young children. Where is the justice department? Why are these people not being told to disperse or face arrest?”
“These are the people who were pressing the FBI to investigate moms concerned about their children at school board meetings,” @bossy_Leah added.
“Biden’s mobs trying to disrupt the proceedings of the nation’s highest court, undermining the rule of law,” Steve Hilton said.
“Why did the WH refuse to denounce targeting of SCOTUS justices? Where are responsible Dem voices condemning this?” Stephen Hayes asked.
Nathan Brand tweeted, “The White House refused to condemn this.”
“They effectively endorsed it,” Guy Benson replied.