Could a Local DA Someday Indict Biden? Jean-Pierre: 'I'm Not Going to Comment From Here' (April 4, 2023)

With former President Donald Trump’s New York case dominating the news, a reporter asked the White House about the precedent. “I’m not asking about Trump but about the precedent that this opens. Does the White House believe that a former President could or should be indicted?” a reporter Jean-Pierre called Raquel asked on April 4, 2023 [1].

“I’m just not going to comment from here,” Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre answered, according to the official transcript published by the American Presidency Project [1].

Then a reporter she called Peter asked whether it could boomerang on President Joe Biden. “But as a lawyer, is he concerned at all that a local DA indicting a former President could, down the line, open up the possibility, set the precedent that local DAs that don’t like former President Biden could indict him?” “I’m not going to comment from here,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

The video above shows the exchange at the April 4, 2023, briefing. Quotes are from the American Presidency Project and ABC News [1][2][3].

”President Biden Is a Lawyer”

Jean-Pierre interrupted the question. “To follow up on that, President Biden is a lawyer. Is he concer- —” the reporter began. “And the President of the United States and the Commander-in-Chief. But go ahead,” Jean-Pierre cut in [1].

“Why don’t you have more to say about the Trump indictment?” the reporter asked. “It is an ongoing case, and I’ve been very clear about that. We’ve been prudent about that, not commenting on ongoing cases. And we’re going to stick to that,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

”All That Anybody in the Country Is Talking About”

The reporter pressed. “But for better or worse, all that anybody in the country is talking about at this exact moment, while we’re in here, is Trump. And they look here to find out what the White House thinks about it. And?” [1]

“Well, I think the American people should feel reassured that when there is an ongoing case, like this one, that we’re just not commenting,” Jean-Pierre answered [1].

“And so, does the lack of comment mean that you do not think anything happening in New York today is one of the top issues facing the country at the moment?” the reporter asked. “That’s your assessment. That’s not my assessment,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

Chinese Cranes and a Jailed Reporter

Another reporter asked about China. “Should there be hearings or an assessment by the NSC about possible spying by the Chinese at U.S. ports through these cranes?” [1]

“Yeah, I think you’ve asked me this question before. Nothing has changed from what I shared with you the last time,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

On Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, held in Russia, she said: “Yes, we are — we are concerned, and we’re working diligently, very hard, to get a counselor to Evan.” [1]

“There’s a Way to Do This, My Friend”

One reporter kept trying to get a question in. “Afghanistan please, Karine? May I ask question about Afghanistan?” the reporter called out. “Okay, but you — there’s a way to do this, my friend. You know that. Give me a second. Let me get around,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

A reporter Jean-Pierre called Courtney asked about COVID rules for visitors. “Can you talk about the travel author- — or, excuse me, the requirement that travelers — foreign travelers be vaccinated? Is that something that you’re reconsidering or that people should expect to unwind, along with the public health emergency, as we head toward May 11th?” [1]

“COVID is — is still with us,” Jean-Pierre said. “And when we have more to say, I certainly will share that closer to May. I don’t have anything to preview or to announce at this time.” [1]

By the Numbers

2: reporters who asked about a precedent for indicting presidents [1].
4: Americans and a green-card holder freed from Russia, as Biden listed them [3].
10: days before his inauguration that Trump was sentenced, per ABC News [2].
16: people freed from Russia in the August 2024 deal that brought Gershkovich home [3].

What Happened Next

Trump won, and got no punishment. On Jan. 10, 2025, “President-elect Donald Trump was sentenced Friday in his historic hush money case to an unconditional discharge — allowing Trump to avoid prison, fines or probation,” ABC News reported. “Trump’s defense team, which vowed to appeal, said the case should never have been brought and called it a ‘sad day for this country.’” [2]

“I’m totally innocent. I did nothing wrong,” Trump told the court [2]. “Sir, I wish you godspeed as you assume your second term in office,” Judge Juan Merchan said to Trump at the end of the hearing [2].

Gershkovich came home. On Aug. 1, 2024, Biden announced that “Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Vladimir Kara-Murza” were coming home. “All told, we’ve negotiated the release of 16 people from Russia,” his statement said [3].

For Biden’s “lots of luck” to House Republicans investigating his son, see HYGO News’ page on Nov. 9, 2022. For the White House on Biden’s own classified documents, see the page on Jan. 13, 2023.