Big Tech Layoffs and Recession Fears? Jean-Pierre: 'Layoffs Remain Record Low' (January 25, 2023)

As Silicon Valley and Wall Street cut jobs, a reporter asked the White House how President Joe Biden would answer recession fears. “There are concerns that the Big Tech layoffs and the banking layoffs will spill over into the broader economy. When the President speaks about the economy tomorrow, how will he address those fears and the fears of a recession?” [1]

“Ed, look, we understand — we understand, you know, the fears,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. “But what I will say is that — and I’ve spoken to this a couple of times — that there is data — job data that we have seen — job opening data that we have seen where layoffs remain record low.” [1]

She would not talk about the companies. “I don’t want to speak dir- — specifically about, you know, private companies and tech layoffs,” she said [1].

The video above shows the exchange at the Jan. 25, 2023, briefing. Quotes are from the official transcript published by the American Presidency Project [1].

”It Grew by 3.2 Percent”

Jean-Pierre pointed to growth. “You look at the GDP. It’s growing — it grew by 3.2 percent,” she said, adding that the data “shows that we are indeed going to a stable and steady — steady growth” [1].

The next morning, the government reported a slower number. “Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 2.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2022,” the Bureau of Economic Analysis said. “In the third quarter, real GDP increased 3.2 percent.” [2]

“No Intention of Letting the Republicans Wreck Our Economy”

A follow-up quoted Biden. “He said this week that he has ‘no intention of letting the Republicans wreck our economy’ was his — his words. Does the administration view calling out Republicans as an effective tool when dealing with recession?” [1]

Jean-Pierre said the President would keep at it. “But he’s also going to call out Republicans — in particular, in the House — who are saying they want to cut Social Security, who have said very clearly they want to cut Medicare,” she said [1].

”We Never Ruled Tanks Out”

The briefing came the same day Biden announced he would send Abrams tanks to Ukraine. “For a long time, U.S. military officials had resisted this move to send Abrams tanks, saying that they’re difficult to operate, difficult to train people on. And that was essentially what we heard from President Biden today. What changed?” a reporter asked [1].

“That said, we never ruled tanks out,” said John Kirby of the National Security Council. He described the tank’s engine: “it uses a gas turbine engine to — basically, a jet engine — 1,500 horsepower” [1].

Was the move meant to give Germany cover to send its own tanks? “No,” Kirby said. “I wouldn’t use the word ‘cover.’” [1]

“That’s Still on Track”

Another reporter asked about the President’s health. “You said the President would have his physical finished by the end of this month. Is that still on track?” [1]

“That’s still on track. When we have a date to share, we certainly will,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

The same reporter asked about Hunter Biden. “The House Oversight Committee is looking into Hunter Biden’s art sales or the sales of his own art. Is the White House concerned about that?” “I will refer you to Hunter Biden’s representatives on this,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

”I’m Just Not Going to Go Beyond That”

The day before, former Vice President Mike Pence’s team had disclosed classified documents found at his Indiana home. A reporter drew the contrast: “When he saw how forthcoming former Vice President Mike Pence was and his team was about the fact that they did find classified documents in his Indiana home, did the President regret not telling the public about this immediately and instead letting it leak in the press?” [1]

“So, I’ll say this — and, again, I’m going to be very prudent. I’m going to be very consistent here,” Jean-Pierre said. “I’m just not going to go beyond that.” [1]

By the Numbers

3.2%: the growth rate Jean-Pierre cited, from the third quarter of 2022 [1][2].
2.9%: fourth-quarter growth, reported the next morning [2].
22 days: from “still on track” for January to the physical on Feb. 16 [3].
80: Biden’s age at that physical, per his doctor [4].
1,500: horsepower of the Abrams tank’s engine, per Kirby [1].

What Happened Next

The physical slipped to February. It did not happen by the end of January. On Feb. 16, 2023, the White House told the pool that “the President will travel to Walter Reed Medical Center for his routine annual physical” [3].

“President Biden remains a healthy, vigorous 80-year-old male who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency,” his physician, Kevin O’Connor, wrote, Fox News reported. Fox noted that “He still experiences a stiff gait, but it hasn’t worsened since last year” [4].

For Biden’s “no regrets” answer on the documents the week before, see HYGO News’ page on Aptos, California. For another topic at the same briefing, see the page on McCarthy blocking Schiff and Swalwell.