The White House struggled to defend itself from criticism regarding its response to Republican efforts to override reforms to Washington, D.C.'s criminal code.
President Joe Biden is being criticized by Democrats for underscoring his opposition to the Republican endeavor before telling Senate colleagues this week that he supported it.
BIDEN TRIES TO REBRAND DEMOCRATS ON CRIME, BUT URBAN LIBERALS DON'T COOPERATE
"We were aware what the council was proposing," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Friday. "What we're saying was that we wanted to make sure that we continue the president's continued push for statehood, and that's what we did. That's what we did in the [position statement], and that's what was the most important thing that we believed. There was no veto threat."
“We never laid out where the president was going to go once it came to his desk because we wanted to allow Congress to move forward in a way that they normally do," she added. "Now we're communicating very clearly now that we know that this legislation is going to be at the president's desk."
The White House's position shifted over a period of weeks after the Office of Management and Budget issued a "statement of administration policy" on Jan. 6. Biden then told Senate Democrats this week he would sign the Republican-led measure into law if their chamber passed it.
"I support D.C. Statehood and home-rule — but I don’t support some of the changes D.C. Council put forward over the Mayor’s objections — such as lowering penalties for carjackings," he later tweeted.
I support D.C. Statehood and home-rule – but I don’t support some of the changes D.C. Council put forward over the Mayor’s objections – such as lowering penalties for carjackings.
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 2, 2023
If the Senate votes to overturn what D.C. Council did – I’ll sign it.
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After Biden signaled his opposition to the resolution, 173 House Democrats also voted against it. Those Democrats have now provided fodder for Republicans to attack them for being "soft on crime"
Congressional Progressive Caucus Chairwoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) contended Friday that Democrats' commitment to the so-called "home rule" should matter regardless of the local legislation's substance. Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser had vetoed the bill, but the council overrode her veto.