White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to assess Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ performance Hurricane Ian’s Respond Friday – Despite President Biden’s earlier claim that the Republican leader praised him.
It’s standard for politicians to put fights aside and offer warm words for each other in times of crisis, but such remarks came only 48 hours after the Category 4 hurricane struck southwest between Sarasota and Naples in Florida. ripped the coast.
“Yesterday President Biden said that Gov. DeSantis … appreciated him and the immediate response from the federal government,” CNN’s Caitlan Collins told Jean-Pierre at his regular briefing. “Is there a sense that the president returns? Does the president think Gov. DeSantis has handled this response well so far?”
Jean-Pierre initially begged, saying: “I can’t talk the specifics of a private conversation” and “we don’t want to make it about politics.”
“They will continue to coordinate. They’re going to continue the conversation,” Jean-Pierre continued, adding — that was in a discrepancy from Biden’s Thursday claim “four or five” Calls with DeSantis—”Trust me, there were three conversations in just a week’s time about what they can do to help communities in Florida.”
“But I don’t want to get into politics here,” repeated Jean-Pierre.
“I’m not asking about politics, I’m just asking whether the president thinks Governor DeSantis has done a good job so far,” Collins said.
Jean-Pierre again declined to directly assess DeSantis’ performance, saying, “I am not going into the details of who is doing a good job and … who can do a better job, I should say.”
On Thursday, Biden told reporters at the Federal Emergency Agency’s headquarters that he had a “very good” relationship with DeSantis.
“He complimented me. He thanked me for the immediate response we had. He told me how much he appreciated it, said he was extremely happy with what was going on,” Biden said. Whether or not our disagreement politically has anything to do with it. It’s about saving people’s lives, homes and businesses.”
Jean-Pierre and FEMA Administrator Dean Criswell stirred up Saying on Tuesday that Biden would not call DeSantis despite calling three Florida mayors as the monster storm hit the state.
After receiving the blow, Biden gave DeSantis his first call that night.