President Joe Biden said in January that he was restoring decency to the White House and would act swiftly to remove any of his staff or personnel that treat others unprofessionally.
The president said he would go as far as to fire them “on the spot” should he hear them “treat another with disrespect.”
“I’m not joking when I say this, if you ever work with me and I hear you treat another colleague with disrespect, talk down to someone, I promise I will fire you on the spot,” he said.
“On the spot,” he reiterated. “No if, ands, or buts.”
“You’re engaged in and you’re working with the most decent government in the world,” Biden continued. “And we have to restore the soul of this country, and I’m counting on all of you to be part of that.
“And it’s not hyperbole. The only thing I expect with absolute certitude is honesty and decency,” he added via Business Insider.
Watch his statement below:
"I'm not joking when I say this, if you ever work with me and I hear you treat another colleague with disrespect, talk down to someone, I promise I will fire you on the spot.
On the spot." pic.twitter.com/LvEsY94gS4
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) February 12, 2021
With such a clear directive, many people were left wondering why Biden then decided to keep a member of his communications staff after he clashed with a reporter.
According to White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, Deputy Press Secretary TJ Ducklo made a number of rude comments to Politico journalist Tara Palmeri.
As Vanity Fair reports, Ducklo said he would ruin her reputation if she went ahead with publishing a story about his relations with another reporter.
“I will destroy you,” Ducklo reportedly said among other intimidating comments.
But, he will not be fired.
“TJ Ducklo has apologized to the reporter, with whom he had a heated conversation about his personal life. He is the first to acknowledge this is not the standard of behavior set out by the President,” Psaki wrote in a tweet.
TJ Ducklo has apologized to the reporter, with whom he had a heated conversation about his personal life. He is the first to acknowledge this is not the standard of behavior set out by the President.
— Jen Psaki (@PressSec) February 12, 2021
“In addition to his initial apology, he has sent the reporter a personal note expressing his profound regret,” Psaki continued.
Adding, “With the approval of the White House Chief of Staff, he has been placed on a one-week suspension without pay. In addition, when he returns, he will no longer be assigned to work with any reporters at Politico.”
With the approval of the White House Chief of Staff, he has been placed on a one-week suspension without pay. In addition, when he returns, he will no longer be assigned to work with any reporters at Politico.
— Jen Psaki (@PressSec) February 12, 2021