Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary, provided almost identical answers to reporters’ questions about the Russian invasion in Ukraine and Democrats’ push for federalization of voting laws. Psaki stated in at least five instances that Russia and its economic ally should think about how they want history to remember them and which side they want to take when asked about the international response to the conflict in Ukraine.
Psaki was asked Friday by President Biden why he hadn’t made specific requests to Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday during their discussion about Vladimir Putin’s recent attacks against Ukrainian towns. She suggested that China might be intimidated by the way history will judge it.
Psaki stated that China must decide for itself where it wants to stand and what they want history to say about them.
Psaki had just asked another question about China’s relations with Russia a day earlier, and argued that it was a question for all countries of “where you want be as the history books have written.”
Two days earlier, Psaki was asked about India’s willingness to accept Russia’s offer of crude oil at a discount. The White House press secretary encouraged India and other countries looking at business opportunities with Russia, to consider where they want to be “when the history books have been written in this moment.” She said that supporting the Russian leadership is equivalent to supporting the invasion of Ukraine.
Psaki responded to Putin’s attack on Ukraine on February 25, saying that every country should consider “which side of history” as the conflict escalates.
Psaki and Jonathan Capehart joined MSNBC two days later to discuss China’s relationship with Russia.
Psaki stated that “this is a moment for each country to decide which part of history they want.” She urged the Chinese leadership to take stock of themselves and to “assess their position as the history books are being written.”
Psaki used this language repeatedly to criticize a group of people during discussions about current events. Psaki was interviewed by Kristen Welker, NBC News correspondent, about the sharp partisan divide in America and whether Biden has done enough to unify the country. Jan. 6 marks the one-year anniversary the 2021 Capitol riot.
Psaki quickly shifted to criticizing Republicans who supported Biden’s election as illegitimate.
“We’re not talking about all the Republicans in Congress. We’re talking about a few, but far too many. They, in our view and that of the president, need to look at themselves and consider what role they would like to play in history. Do their grandchildren and children want to perpetuate the big lie? She asked.
Psaki stated that Congress members would soon be able to vote and decide “which side of history” they want to follow on Jan. 13.
Two days prior, she made similar comments on voting rights legislation. She said that congressmen should take a hard look at where they want “at this point in history” and “hard look” at their current position.
Biden also repeated the Georgian words of Psaki when he said in a speech that each senator would be “judged on the basis of history” on their positions before and after the federal election changes.
This rhetoric recalls former President Obama, under whom Biden was vice president. He frequently criticized opponents for being “on the wrong side of history.”