Psaki accused of lying about Biden dog Major’s biting attacks
Secret Service emails show dog bit agents eight days in a row
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Joe Biden’s White House press secretary has been accused of lying about the president’s dog Major’s biting attacks.
Jen Psaki was pressed on the issue by a New York Post reporter at her daily briefing, and was accused of failing to provide “honest information” amid the Afghanistan crisis.
The right-wing newspaper’s reporter even asked Ms Psaki, “if we can’t get information about minor stories, why should we have faith in the administration’s account for larger issues like Afghanistan?”
Conservative legal group Judicial Watch has released Secret Service emails in which officials stated that agents were bitten by the First Dog “causing damage to attire or bruising/punctures to the skin” every day for eight days between 1 March and 8 March.
The White House said at the end of March that the three-year-old German shepherd had been involved in a pair of “nipping” incidents.
“Obviously that’s not the world’s most important story, but it is significant because we expect honest information even for minor stories,” the reporter added.
“So can you explain to us why there was a kind of misleading account presented to us?
“And if we can’t get information about minor stories, why should we have faith in the administration’s account for larger issues like Afghanistan?”
Judicial Watch obtained the emails after filing a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security.
Ms Psaki side-stepped the transparency issue, but did address Major’s status at the White House.
“I know you do keep the dog in the briefing room, so thank you for that,” she replied.
“As we’ve stated previously, Major has had some challenges adjusting to life in the White House.
“He has been receiving additional training, as well as spending some time in Delaware where the environment is more familiar to him and he is more comfortable.
“I don’t have any additional specifics, but I think that speaks to where Major is located to be fully transparent in your ongoing interest in the dog.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments