Criticism for Karine Jean-Pierre’s Remarks on 3 Slain US Troops in Jordan: Termed ‘Embarrassing’
In a shocking statement that left many reeling, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stirred outrage by suggesting that three U.S. troops killed in a weekend drone strike in Jordan had died “fighting on behalf of the administration” rather than for America. Struggling to articulate a coherent sentence on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Jean-Pierre expressed condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers, stating, “three brave folks who are military folks, who are brave, who are always fighting, who are fighting on behalf of, uh, this administration, of the American people, obviously more so, more importantly.” The incident occurred during a drone attack on Tower 22, a U.S. ( 📄 Jill Biden Confronts Trump: First Lady Alleges Efforts to Undermine Joe and Sabotage Border Deal for Political Gain in 2024 ) outpost along Jordan’s border with Syria, resulting in the death of three Army soldiers and over 40 others wounded. President Biden pledged a response to the attack, though details of the intended actions remain undisclosed.
Social media erupted in criticism of Jean-Pierre’s remarks, with Jeremy Redfern, press secretary for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, denouncing it as “disgusting” and highlighting the problematic notion that military personnel are fighting on behalf of any administration. Foreign policy analyst Nile Gardiner labeled the Biden Administration as “amateurish, disorganized, disrespectful, and an embarrassment to the United States.” Former GOP Congressman Doug Collins emphasized that the fallen soldiers “are service members who gave their lives NOT for this administration but for the Country they serve,” adding that they deserve better. Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas) expressed outrage, stating, “The soldiers were there for America – not your Administration.” Abigail Jackson, communications director for Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that service members swear an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States, not any particular administration. ( 📰 Potential Threat to Americans as Ex-FBI Officials Disclose Who’s Been Sneaking Into U.S )
The Pentagon identified the three soldiers killed in the attack as Specialist Kennedy Sanders, 24, of Waycross, Ga.; Sgt. William Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Ga.; and Specialist Breonna Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Ga. Their sacrifice stands in stark contrast to Jean-Pierre’s implication that they were fighting on behalf of the current administration. The Army’s enlistment oath, taken by every new soldier, emphasizes their commitment to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” rather than fighting on behalf of any particular President or administration. The stark contrast between this oath and the press secretary’s comments underscores the deep disrespect perceived by many.
Prior to this tragic incident, the Middle East had witnessed at least 158 attacks on U.S. (nypost.com) or allied personnel or hardware since October 17, according to the Pentagon. The loss of these brave soldiers in Jordan adds to the toll of military personnel who have faced danger in the region, prompting reflection on the gravity of their service and the duty of the government to honor and respect their sacrifice. The emotional weight of this situation is palpable, with critics pointing to the need for a more sincere and respectful acknowledgment of the soldiers who gave their lives in service to their country.
