'We're Going to Secure the Border,' Jean-Pierre Says; Reporters Protest: 'He Never Answers Questions' (March 16, 2023)

More than two years into President Joe Biden’s term, his press secretary was still promising to secure the border. A reporter asked about the parole program Biden had opened for migrants from four countries, which Texas was challenging in court [1].

“And a second question, on parole. The U.S. has had a humanitarian parole program that you opened for the four countries from Latin America. That program is being challenged in court in Texas. Can you talk about the implications of that case?” the reporter asked Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on March 16, 2023 [1].

“Look, we’re going to secure the border and do the work. You’ve heard from — from Mayorkas on this. Do the work — Secretary Mayorkas on this — do the work to continue to do that. But we need Congress to act,” Jean-Pierre said, according to the transcript published by the American Presidency Project [1].

The video above shows the exchange at the March 16, 2023, briefing. Quotes are from the American Presidency Project, the Federal Register and Fox News [1][2][3].

”This Is a Political Stunt”

Jean-Pierre said the program was a success. “Yeah, so as we — as you know, that parole program that we put into place is working. It’s working. The — it’s — it’s gone down — those four countries crossing over — coming — coming to the border has gone down by more than 95 percent,” she said [1].

She blamed Republicans for the lawsuit. “And instead — instead of con- — Republicans in Congress or Republicans working with us on fixing this issue or dealing with a real issue — the border — they want to repeal a program that is actually doing what it is supposed to be doing. So this is a political stunt by them,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

“Repealing a program that is working is — just doesn’t make sense. And it’s a political stunt,” she said [1].

The program did not stop migrants from coming. Fox News later described it as one “which allows 30,000 migrants to fly directly in each month as part of the Biden administration’s ‘expanded lawful pathways.’” [3]

“He Never Answers Questions During Those Pool Sprays”

The briefing ended in a revolt from the press corps. A reporter noted that the next day’s visit by Ireland’s prime minister would not include a joint news conference. “Can you say why not and whether that might be added to the schedule tomorrow? This is kind of —” the reporter asked. ”— becoming a pattern with a lot of the world leaders who are coming to —” [1]

Jean-Pierre pointed to the Oval Office photo session. “You’re going to have an opportunity, or your colleagues will have an opportunity to ask questions during the — the pool spray of the Oval,” she said [1].

“Karine, he never answers questions during those pool sprays,” a reporter said. “That’s not true. He has — he’s answered,” Jean-Pierre replied [1].

“Very seldom,” one reporter said. “We get shouted at,” said another. “We get shoved out.” “We get yelled at. ‘Press, thank you! Thank you!’” [1]

“Will you commit to having him answer a question tomorrow?” a reporter asked. “I hear you guys. I hear you guys,” Jean-Pierre said. “As you know, this is a President that takes shouted questions often.” [1]

She ended it there. “With that, guys, I’ll see you,” Jean-Pierre said at 3:02 p.m. [1]

TikTok in the Family?

The administration was weighing a TikTok ban, and a reporter asked about the President’s family. “President Biden has said before that he himself does not have TikTok on his phone. Do you know if any of his grandchildren or any other family members who he spends time with has it on their phones?” [1]

“I do not know,” Jean-Pierre said. “Can you find out? I mean, he spends time with them, so they —” the reporter began [1].

“I hear — I just — it’s just — it’s just not something that I’m aware of and I’m just not going to speak to. They are private citizens. I’m just not going to speak to what they have on their phones or not,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

The Russian Jet and the Drone

A reporter asked about newly released video of a U.S. drone, saying it “clearly refuted the initial accounts that were offered by the Russians about what happened.” “The actions by Russian pilots in international airspace were reckless and dangerous,” Jean-Pierre said. “Clearly, we do not seek armed conflict with Russia.” [1]

“Smells Lovely in Here”

The briefing had started on a lighter note. “It smells lovely in here. Good afternoon, everybody,” Jean-Pierre said at 2:16 p.m. “It smells like, I don’t know, potpourri or something. It smells lovely.” [1]

By the Numbers

4: countries covered by the parole program [1].
95 percent: the drop Jean-Pierre claimed in border arrivals from those countries [1].
46 minutes: the briefing ran from 2:16 to 3:02 p.m. [1].
2025: the year the program was terminated [2].

What Happened Next

The program was shut down. In March 2025, under President Donald Trump, “The Department of Homeland Security (‘DHS’) is terminating the categorical parole programs for inadmissible aliens from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela and their immediate family members (hereinafter referred to as ‘CHNV parole programs’) that DHS announced in 2022 and 2023,” the Federal Register notice says [2].

For Biden announcing the program in January 2023, see HYGO News’ page on Jan. 5, 2023. For Jean-Pierre on bank consolidation at the same briefing, see the page on March 16, 2023.