On 2/22/2022, a reporter asked Psaki during a White House briefing, “Americans should expect higher gasoline prices” from Russia sanctions? “Yeah! Energy prices, exactly. That’s what we want the American public to be aware is a possibility,” Psaki said.
Rick Perry slammed Psaki, “Anyone who is sitting at the White House, being the spokesperson for the president of the United States, and basically saying that there is no threat for cybersecurity needs to step away from the microphone and quit doing any more harm to America … I mean, millions of times a day. The idea that there’s not a cyber threat is just on its face either a grand lie or a person who’s completely and absolutely inept. I mean, go get a classified briefing, Ms. Psaki.”
Deputy national security adviser for International Economics Daleep Singh expressed optimism that gasoline prices will decline over time, “There are actions can take with their strategic reserves, there are actions energy producers can take in terms of their spare capacity,” Singh told reporters. “I’m not going to give you a timeline, but the collective power of those actions, and all the other tools and authorities at our disposal … will be effective in bringing down the price of gas and the price of oil.”
Reporter calls out Biden Nat security official for announcing sanctions that did not deter Russia. Reporter: “You mentioned that sanctions are meant to deter and prevent, but the fact of the matter is the sanctions you’re announcing today and announced last night did not deter or prevent Russia’s actions yesterday and over the weekend. What gives you any confidence that the remaining sanctions that haven’t been imposed yet can deter or prevent a further Russian invasion and aggression in Ukraine?
Singh: Well, look, it’s — it’s day one. And President Putin has choices to make; we have choices to make. Our job is to manage risks and to impose consequences for a further escalation of this conflict by President Putin. We can do that through financial sanctions. We can do that through export controls.
Reporter: Does the White House any — have any reaction to former President Trump calling Putin’s move yesterday “genius” and “smart”?
Psaki: … there’s a bit of a different tactic, a bit of a different approach. And that’s probably why President Biden, and not his predecessor, was able to rally the world and the global community in taking steps against — against Russia’s aggression.
Reporter: When can we expect a more detailed explanation from the White House about how it would plan to bring down energy prices?
Psaki: Well, I think, as Daleep just conveyed, a lot of what’s happening right now is sensitive. It includes … the President is continuing to consider options. So I expect we’ll have more to tell you when — if any decisions are made.
Reporter: The President said before he got here that “Putin knows, if I am President of the United States, his days of tyranny and trying to intimidate the United States and those in Eastern Europe are over.” It’s two and a half years later. He is intimidating the United States and those in Eastern Europe. What happened?
Psaki: I’d hardly put it that way. I would look at it, actually, from the prism of: The United States and President Biden has rallied the world, rallied Europe to stand up against the efforts and the actions of President Putin… we’ve laid out very clearly exactly —
Reporter: right now are intimidated by $4 gas, $5 gas, however high you guys think it’s going to go? Something like that is not intimidating?
Psaki: You asked me if we were intimidated by President Putin, and I think the evidence of that doesn’t exist.
Jen Psaki denies there is any “current pending threat” from Russia on cyberwarfare, she says Biden wants to “avoid” large-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Psaki has no answer for how Biden intends to bring down surging gas prices. Psaki says Biden “has never been a supporter” of Russia’s Nord Stream 2, despite waiving sanctions.