Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was challenged by a student journalist during a question and answer session at the University of Chicago on Wednesday over her comments encouraging pro-abortion activists to continue protesting outside the homes of Supreme Court justices.
The protests stem from a draft opinion leaked this month from an abortion case under review by the Court showing Roe v. Wade being overturned. Protesting at the homes of judges, witnesses, and other judiciary workers violates federal law.
"A week ago...you said and I quote, 'We certainly continue to encourage that people protests outside of judges' homes,'" Daniel Schmidt began to ask.
"I never said that," Pskai interjected.
"I'm quoting you," Schmidt replied.
"I said peaceful. That's a key word isn't it?" said Psaki.
"Peaceful regardless, they're protesting to impact the results. It's a federal crime to protests outside of justices' homes to impact the results. So my question is do you regret encouraging people to protest outside of justices' homes, even if it is peaceful, it still is a federal crime?" Schmidt asked.
"Let me first say, because I think facts matter and facts are important, I never encourage anyone to protest. I encourage them to engage peacefully and to do it without violence, without threats, and without intimidation. And that is something I said many, many times and I think is vitally important," Psaki explained.
Psaki added she does not believe the government should be telling people where they are allowed to peaceful protest but if they are breaking the law then they should face consequences.
Jen Psaki brazenly lies to @UChicago student journalist, @RealDSchmidt, denying she encouraged anti-lifers to illegally protest outside Supreme Court justices’ homes to influence SCOTUS abortion decision: pic.twitter.com/6mx3Th9kwZ
— The Chicago Thinker (@ThinkerChicago) May 19, 2022
Psaki encouraged for pro-abortion protesters to show up peacefully at justices' homes during the White House press briefing on May 10.
Psaki on "protests that have been peaceful to date":
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 10, 2022
"We certainly continue to encourage that outside of judges' homes." pic.twitter.com/h3t8Jsw1Ss