What Did Biden Mean by 'No Regrets'? Jean-Pierre: 'I Will Just Let the President's Words Stand' While the FBI Searched His Home (January 20, 2023)

The day after President Joe Biden told reporters in California he had “no regrets” about his handling of classified documents, his press secretary was asked what he meant. “What does the President mean when he said ‘no regrets’? Because he’s also said he takes very seriously the handling of classified documents. So, I’m unclear what he means about ‘no regrets,’” a reporter said [1].

“So, I’m not going to comment further from what the President has said yesterday. I think he — he laid out his thoughts,” Karine Jean-Pierre answered. “I’m not going to get into specifics, or I’m not going to go beyond what the President has said.” [1]

The reporter, whom Jean-Pierre called “Kelly O,” tried again. “Can you just shed light on was he referring to, sort of, the rollout of the information or about the timeline? Or — I’m just unclear about what he’s not regretting.” [1]

“I totally understand why you may want clarity here. But I’m going to be prudent. I’m going to be consistent here,” Jean-Pierre said. “I will just let the President’s words stand for itself.” [1]

Biden’s words in Aptos, California, the day before had been short. “I think you’re going to find there’s nothing there. I have no regrets. I’m following what the lawyers have told me they want me to do. It’s exactly what we’re doing. There is no there there,” he said [4].

The video above shows the Jan. 20, 2023, briefing. Quotes are from the official White House transcript [1].

”Parse the Words of the President”

Another reporter asked whether Biden’s California answer had been cleared by his lawyers. “He said in that answer that he’s doing everything that attorneys are asking him to do, so it’s protocol and everything. Was his answer vetted through — through counsel or anything like that? Can you tell us that?” [1]

“I mean, it’s the same thing that he has said before, which is: He and his team are cooperating fully,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

When the reporter pressed, she shut it down. “But, again, I am not going to get into, parse the words of the President. It is — you heard him say what he — gave his remarks and make his statement. I’m just not going to dive into that,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

”I’m Trying Yet Another Way”

A reporter she called Matt asked how the process is supposed to work “when classified documents are improperly found,” without asking about the investigation itself [1].

“I — I hear the question. It’s been asked to me many different ways, many different times,” Jean-Pierre said. “I’m trying yet another way,” the reporter answered. The transcript notes that she laughed: “(Laughs.) And I appreciate the effort.” [1]

Then she referred the question to the White House Counsel Office [1].

Rehoboth Beach

One reporter asked about Biden’s weekend plans. “The President going to his home in Rehoboth Beach today — does that have anything to do with classified documents being found at Wilmington and none being found at Rehoboth?” [1]

“I would refer you to the White House Counsel Office for any statement coming from here,” Jean-Pierre said. “As it relates to his travel, as you know, he often travels to Delaware on the weekends. I just don’t have anything else to share.” [1]

“I Would Have to Ask Our Team”

Earlier, the same reporter asked about a White House chart. “One says ‘11 million’ — ‘nearly 11 million.’ The other says ‘nearly 15.9.’ What’s the difference?” [1]

“That’s a good question. I would have to ask our team,” Jean-Pierre said, to laughter. “I’m going to be very, very honest with you on that.” [1]

By the Numbers

1 year: since Biden’s last physical, a reporter said [1].
11 million and 15.9: the two health enrollment figures on the White House chart [1].
Feb. 16: the day Biden finally went to Walter Reed for his physical [2].
6: items with classification markings Biden’s lawyer said the Justice Department took from the Wilmington home that day [5].

”Are You Still Fit for This Job?”

As the briefing ended, a reporter called out one more question. “Are you — are you still fit for this job? With your performance last week, are you still fit for the job of Press Secretary?” [1]

“Happy Friday, guys,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

What Happened Next

The FBI was in Biden’s house. The briefing ran from 1:17 to 2:12 p.m. [1] That same day, “the FBI executed a planned, consensual search of the President’s residence in Wilmington, Delaware,” an assistant U.S. attorney told Fox News. The search began at 9:45 a.m. and ended around 10:30 p.m., Fox reported [5].

Biden’s lawyer Bob Bauer said the Justice Department took “six items consisting of documents with classification markings and surrounding materials, some of which were from the President’s service in the Senate and some of which were from his tenure as Vice President,” according to Fox [5].

The physical came late. At the same briefing, Jean-Pierre said Biden would get his physical “by the time the end of this month is out” [1]. It came on Feb. 16, 2023, when “the President will travel to Walter Reed Medical Center for his routine annual physical,” the White House pool reported that day [2].

Hur found “willfully retained.” In February 2024, Special Counsel Robert Hur concluded that “no criminal charges are warranted,” but said his investigation “uncovered evidence that President Biden willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his vice presidency when he was a private citizen” [3].

For Biden’s “no regrets” answer in Aptos, see HYGO News’ page on his Aptos remarks. For the Social Security exchange at the same briefing, see the page on Jan. 20, 2023.