White House Press Secretary Clarifies Previous Comments, Says ‘No Place for Antisemitism’ in US

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Tuesday said antisemitism has "no place" in the United States, clarifying comments she made the day before that resulted in backlash from Republicans and some Democrats.

Jean-Pierre began Tuesday's White House press briefing by saying that when Jewish people are targeted for their beliefs or their identity with Israel is singled out, that is “antisemitism and that is unacceptable.”

"There is no place for anti-semitism,” Jean-Pierre said. “Full stop, period. This is important to the president. It's important to me personally, and to everyone in the administration, following the Hamas terror attacks in Israel, which were the deadliest for Jews since the Holocaust.”

The clarification comes after Jean-Pierre was asked about concerns over antisemitism at Monday's press briefing. She responded by saying the administration has “not seen any credible threats” and went on to talk about Islamophobia.

“Muslim and those perceived to be Muslim have endured a disproportionate number of hate-fueled attacks,” Jean-Pierre said Monday.

She later clarified in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that “the President and our team are very concerned about a rise in antisemitism, especially after the horrific Hamas terrorist attack in Israel.”

Jean-Pierre's initial response was met with widespread condemnation by members of both parties. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., called it “a weak answer.”

“The simple answer is yes, you are concerned about the rise of antisemitism,” Moskowitz wrote in a post on X. “Of course we are also worried about hatred against Muslim Americans. Must do better.”

There has been an increase in antisemitic instances globally since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, the Anti-Defamation League found.

Jean-Pierre said Tuesday that President Joe Biden has been “consistent and clear” that the U.S. must continue to do its part in speaking out against antisemitism.

“We must ensure that there is no place for hate in America,” she said. “Not against Jews, not against Muslims, not against Arab Americans, not against Palestinian Americans, not against anyone.”