Is It Appropriate for an Indicted Person to Run? Jean-Pierre: 'Nice Way to Ask, MJ. Very Clever' (March 21, 2023)

Nine days before a Manhattan grand jury indicted Donald Trump, a reporter tried to get the White House to weigh in. “Just totally different topic. Does President Biden believe that it is appropriate for a person who is indicted to run for office?” the reporter asked, according to the official White House transcript [1].

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre saw what the reporter was doing. “So — nice way to ask, MJ. Very clever,” she said [1].

“So I’m going to be, again, really careful for here — from here as it relates to any upcoming elections. And specifically, I’m assuming you’re — you’re talking about the 2024 election,” Jean-Pierre said. “I’m just not going to give any analysis, any foresight, any — any type of — kind of decision or thoughts on that because we are covered by the Hatch Act. So not going to speak to politics. And I’m just going to leave for — leave it there.” [1]

The video above shows the March 21, 2023, briefing. Quotes are from the official White House transcript and the American Presidency Project [1][2][3].

”Clearly, the First Two Are Not True”

Later in the same briefing, a reporter raised comments from Mexico’s president, who “suggested that the U.S. had blown up the Nord Stream pipeline, suggested the administration was trying to derail Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 election.” [1]

“Well, you said a couple things that I want to address. Clearly, the first two are not true. And — and so, I’m just going to put that on the record,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

She was more interested in the third charge, that fentanyl is an American problem. “As it relates to the fentanyl, this is — this is not a U.S. problem, it’s a global one,” she said [1].

”I’m Not Going to Talk About Trump’s Indictment”

Nine days later, on March 30, the grand jury indicted Trump, Fox News reported. The next morning, reporters shouted questions at Biden as he left the White House for Mississippi [4].

“Your reaction to the—President Trump’s indictment?” a reporter asked. “No,” Biden said. “Are you worried this will further divide our country—the indictment?” “I have no comment on that,” Biden answered [2].

“Are you at all concerned about possible protests in the wake of the indictment?” a reporter asked. “No, I’m not going to talk about Trump’s indictment,” Biden said. Asked whether the charges were politically motivated, he said: “I have no comment on Trump.” [2]

“Just Like Every Other American”

On Air Force One that day, Jean-Pierre was asked how Biden learned of the indictment. “Look — look, we found out — all of us, including the President, found out about — about the news yesterday, just like every other American, through the news reports,” she said [3].

“And he was — his chief of staff, Jeff Zients, let him know what occurred through media reports, just like — again, just like all of you found out. Was not given a heads up,” Jean-Pierre said [3].

“Look, we’re just not going to comment on any ongoing case. And I’ll just leave it there,” she said [3].

Asked whether the White House was worried about unrest, she said Biden “supports Americans who want to protest peacefully. And I’m just not going to get into speculations from here on what may or may not happen. Clearly, we are always prepared.” [3]

“Backfire Massively on Joe Biden”

Trump had his own answer. “This is Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history,” he said in a statement, according to Fox News [4].

“The Democrats have lied, cheated and stolen in their obsession with trying to ‘Get Trump,’ but now they’ve done the unthinkable—indicting a completely innocent person in an act of blatant Election Interference,” Trump said [4].

“You remember it just like I do: Russia, Russia, Russia; the Mueller Hoax; Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine; Impeachment Hoax 1; Impeachment Hoax 2; the illegal and unconstitutional Mar-a-Lago raid; and now this,” Trump said [4].

“I believe this Witch-Hunt will backfire massively on Joe Biden,” Trump said. “The American people realize exactly what the Radical Left Democrats are doing here. Everyone can see it.” [4]

“So our Movement, and our Party—united and strong—will first defeat Alvin Bragg, and then we will defeat Joe Biden,” Trump said [4].

Federal prosecutors had already passed on the case. “Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York opted out of charging Trump related to the Daniels payment in 2019,” Fox News reported, and “The FEC also tossed its investigation into the matter in 2021.” [4]

“Fundamentals in the Economy or the Psychology?”

The briefing opened with the bank failures. “Today, Treasury Secretary Yellen said the federal government could step in to protect depositors at banks if there is a risk of contagion. What does the administration think about that risk of contagion? Is that about fundamentals in the economy or the psychology of the markets?” a reporter Jean-Pierre called Josh asked [1].

Jean-Pierre quoted Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, then said: “And there’s evidence our actions are indeed working. They’re restoring confidence in the safety of deposits.” [1]

A reporter she called Steve followed up: “To follow up on Josh’s first question, can you insure all deposits in the U.S. banking system? And do you need legislation for that?” [1]

“Congress Is the Appropriate Venue”

A reporter Jean-Pierre called Alex asked about reparations. “Karine, San Francisco just held a hearing on reparations for decades of — of institutional racism,” the reporter said. “Where does this administration stand on reparations for slavery and segregation and similar historic wrongs, specifically pertaining to Black Americans?” [1]

“And we think Congress is the — the appropriate venue for considera- — consideration on such action,” Jean-Pierre said, pointing instead to Biden’s equity orders. “And — and just last month, he issued a second order reaffirming the administration’s commitment to deliver on that equity.” [1]

By the Numbers

9 days: from the question to the indictment [1][4].
8:05 a.m.: when Biden spoke on the South Lawn the morning after [2].
312-226: Trump’s Electoral College win the next year [5].

What Happened Next

The American people answered. Trump stayed in the race. In November 2024, he defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, 312 electoral votes to 226, according to the National Archives [5].

Trump ended the equity programs. On Jan. 20, 2025, Trump signed Executive Order 14151. It says: “The Biden Administration forced illegal and immoral discrimination programs, going by the name ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ (DEI), into virtually all aspects of the Federal Government, in areas ranging from airline safety to the military.” It adds: “The public release of these plans demonstrated immense public waste and shameful discrimination. That ends today.” [6]

For Fox’s Peter Doocy pressing John Kirby on the lab leak at the same briefing, see HYGO News’ page on March 21, 2023.