According to a report by Newsweek on Monday, May 13, 2024, former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki announced revisions to her book “Say More” following scrutiny over her depiction of President Joe Biden’s behavior during a ceremony honoring soldiers killed in the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
Psaki’s book provides an insider’s view of her time within the Biden and Obama administrations. One significant event she discussed was Biden’s attendance at Dover Air Force Base, where he delivered remarks to honor the fallen soldiers, describing them as heroes on a perilous mission to save lives.
“These American service members who gave their lives… they were heroes,” Biden said, acknowledging their selfless dedication to saving others.
However, controversy arose when photos showed Biden glancing at his watch during the ceremony. This sparked criticism from figures such as former President Donald Trump, who used the images to question Biden’s character, especially with the 2024 election approaching.
Initially, Psaki claimed in her book that Biden only looked at his watch after the ceremony concluded, arguing that critics were spreading misinformation. This narrative contradicted photographic evidence and statements from families of the fallen soldiers present at the ceremony.
Shana Chappell, mother of Marine Lance Corporal Kareem Nikoui, who was killed in the attack, expressed her dismay on Facebook, stating that she saw Biden checking his watch multiple times during the ceremony. The Associated Press also captured images of Biden looking at his watch on two occasions, corroborating the families’ accounts. USA Today had fact-checked the incident, adding to the controversy.
Acknowledging the discrepancies, Psaki decided to revise her book. She stated that the detail regarding the number of times Biden looked at his watch would be removed from future reprints and e-book versions. Psaki emphasized the importance of accuracy, especially when recounting sensitive events like the Afghanistan tragedy.
In her clarification, Psaki explained that her intention was to highlight the need for constructive feedback, even when challenging. She shared her experience of relaying feedback to President Biden about the families’ reception of his remarks, underlining the significance of empathy and understanding in such situations.
This incident underscores the complexity of leadership during times of national tragedy and the importance of accurate and empathetic communication with the public and affected families.
