'Bidenomics at Work': Jean-Pierre Says Polls Don't Tell the Whole Story, Then Cites a 'Trump-Appointed U.S. Attorney' (July 19, 2023)

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre opened her briefing with a pitch for the President’s Competition Council. “Promoting competition to lower cost and support small businesses is a central pillar of Bidenomics,” she said [1].

“The council’s work is another example of Bidenomics at work that is lowering costs and creating a more level playing field for small-business entrepreneurs and also workers,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

Then a reporter brought up a poll. “A new Monmouth Poll shows that Americans still disapprove of the President’s handling of inflation. They are by and large split on his handling of jobs and unemployment. So, a few weeks into this new Bidenomics push, how do you rate how you guys are doing?” [1]

“So, look, the polls don’t tell the whole story. They don’t tell the full story, and we understand that,” Jean-Pierre answered. “Consumer confidence is increasing, and also wages are rising. That’s what certainly the data is showing.” [1]

The video above shows the July 19, 2023, briefing. Quotes are from the official White House transcript [1].

”I Don’t Have a Timeline for You”

The reporter asked when the public would come around. “How long do you think it’s going to take for the public to start —” the reporter began. “I mean, I — you know, I —” Jean-Pierre said. ”— feeling differently about the economy?” [1]

“I don’t have a timeline for you,” Jean-Pierre said. “But we know, just looking at the midterms — right? — the results of the midterms — Americans want us to continue to work and build on the historic actions that we have taken.” [1]

“Why Now?”

Another reporter asked about the timing of the day’s announcements. “But why not — why do this now? Why not in the first year of the presidency? Why now? So it rolls out next year, as voters begin to vote for the —” the reporter asked [1].

Jean-Pierre pointed back to the pandemic. “The first year of the administration, we’re dealing with the economy that was turned upside down because of COVID; because we didn’t have a comprehensive plan to deal with making sure people got shots in arms,” she said [1].

She ran through the list. “I just talked about the insulin being capped at 35 bucks — right? — for seniors. That’s something that we were able to pass last year in the Inflation Reduction Act,” Jean-Pierre said. “This is what — we talk about Bidenomics. This is it.” [1]

On housing, she offered this: “The good — the good news is that we’re starting to see a housing market cool.” [1]

“Russian and Ukrainian Drones”

In her opening, Jean-Pierre also announced a new weapons package for Ukraine. According to the official transcript, it included “additional systems to help Ukraine shoot down Russian and Ukrainian drones” [1].

”Not Going to Get Involved in Elections”

A reporter asked about Texas’s border barrier. “Is the state’s installation of razor wire illegal under international law or any other law?” Jean-Pierre said she could not “speak to the — the legal piece of the — of the wires” [1].

Then came Mexico. “President López Obrador — Obrador, earlier this week, said that he — he is urging Hispanic Americans to vote against Governor Abbott and any Republican who fails to denounce this border tactic by Texas. Is the administration okay with that kind of involvement in domestic politics (inaudible)?” the reporter asked [1].

“I’m just not — that is not something I’m going to speak to. That is something for the President of Mexico to speak to. I’m just not going to get involved in elections,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

”A Trump-Appointed U.S. Attorney”

The last question went to the hearing across town. “On the other side of Pennsylvania Avenue today, there is a hearing: House Oversight Committee, chaired by James Comer. And he has before the committee these two individuals who work for the IRS. They’ve invoked whistleblower status,” a reporter said. “Is there any reason why those allegations should not be believed, from your point of view?” [1]

“So, look, my colleague at the White House Counsel has addressed this, so I certainly will refer you to him,” Jean-Pierre said. “On this case, let’s not forget: This has been led by a Trump-appointed U.S. attorney. Let’s not forget that.” [1]

She then turned on Republicans. “Their focus is continuing to do political stunts. That’s what they want to do,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

By the Numbers

$5,000: what one study found a lack of competition costs the median household each year, per Jean-Pierre [1].
$5 billion: yearly overdraft-fee savings she cited [1].
90+: state legislators at a White House child care meeting that day [1].
$35: the insulin cap for seniors she cited as “Bidenomics” [1].
9: federal tax charges Hunter Biden later pleaded guilty to [2].
$1.4 million: the owed taxes in that case, per Fox [2].

What Happened Next

Hunter Biden pleaded guilty. On Sept. 5, 2024, as jury selection began in Los Angeles, Hunter Biden “entered a guilty plea to all nine federal tax charges brought against him by special counsel David Weiss,” Fox News reported. The charges were “three felonies and six misdemeanors concerning $1.4 million in owed taxes that have since been paid” [2].

Then his father pardoned him. On Dec. 1, 2024, Biden pardoned his son for offenses he “has committed or may have committed” from Jan. 1, 2014, to Dec. 1, 2024, Fox reported. “I am not going to do anything,” Biden had said after Hunter’s gun conviction earlier that year. “I will abide by the jury’s decision.” [3]

“From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted,” Biden wrote in his pardon statement [3].

For the White House’s answer on a Hunter Biden message a month earlier, see HYGO News’ page on June 23, 2023.