‘A lying sac’: Jen Psaki trolled after agreeing to testify before House panel over Afghanistan withdrawal

WASHINGTON, DC: Jen Psaki, the former White House press secretary and current MSNBC host, has agreed to appear before the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The announcement was made by Committee Chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas) earlier this week, signaling a notable step in the committee's ongoing investigation into President Biden’s controversial withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in 2021.

Jen Psaki's commitment to testify before committee

Psaki has agreed to a transcribed interview scheduled for July 26, following months of the committee seeking her testimony. This agreement was detailed in a letter from McCaul to Psaki, dated Monday, June 17. McCaul emphasized the importance of her appearance, though he noted a condition attached to Psaki’s agreement.

“However, I understand you have conditioned your appearance on approval by the White House,” McCaul wrote. “As my staff informed your counsel, it is incumbent on a witness appearing before the Committee to make any third-party arrangements.”

McCaul expects Psaki to resolve this condition by June 26, 2024. “If not, I must treat your June 12 response as a refusal to appear and you will be compelled to sit for a deposition on July 26, 2024,” he stated.

In a letter dated June 12, Psaki’s attorney highlighted the need for deference to the White House Counsel’s Office, citing constitutional accommodations.

The attorney stated that the committee “must defer to the White House Counsel’s Office and allow them to engage in the constitutionally mandated accommodations process,” because “the Committee [is] seeking information about Ms Psaki’s service as White House Press Secretary and Assistant to the President.” 

Psaki is “a private citizen who has no authority to make decisions on behalf of the Executive Branch or to weigh the confidentiality interests at issue,” her attorney wrote in the letter obtained by The Hill on Monday.

McCaul had previously threatened to issue a subpoena if Psaki did not voluntarily agree to testify. In his letter, McCaul referenced Psaki’s recent book 'Say More' which discusses her tenure under Biden, to underscore her obligation to appear before Congress.

“Ms Psaki is a private citizen, who has published her insight into the US withdrawal from Afghanistan for public consumption and personal profit,” McCaul wrote. “Ms Psaki’s duty to appear before Congress is manifest, and her former employer’s desire to avoid congressional oversight is not relevant,” he asserted.

Psaki’s attorney, Emily Loeb, affirmed Psaki’s respect for the committee’s oversight role and willingness to assist.

“We have communicated to the Committee on several occasions that Ms Psaki respects the important oversight function of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and wishes to be as helpful as possible in responding to the Committee’s legitimate oversight requests,” Loeb stated.

“In good faith, over a week ago, we asked for clarification on the scope of information the Committee is seeking from Ms Psaki about the US withdrawal from Afghanistan,” Loeb said. “We have not heard back on those questions.  We will again respond by the deadline in the Chairman’s most recent letter.”

In response, a representative for McCaul expressed frustration with the delay, stating, “Ms Psaki has been dragging this out for almost nine months, and we have given her multiple opportunities to confirm dates.”

The spokesperson reiterated at the time the ultimatum that Psaki must schedule her testimony by June 12 at 5 pm or face a subpoena. 

Jen Psaki sparks backlash on social media

Social media was inundated with reactions after it emerged that she had finally agreed to be interviewed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

"What a waste of time. She's a lying sac," one posted on X.

"She will just lie more about it," another wrote.

"She works for liberal media now, she will just lie lol," someone else added.

"Q: blah, blah, blah A: 5th Q: blah, blah, blah A: 5th Q: blah, blah, blah A: 5th Q: blah, blah, blah A: 5th Q: blah, blah, blah A: 5th," another chimed in.

Psaki, who previously served as the chief spokesperson for Biden’s administration and was a Democratic political operative, left her White House role in 2022. Shortly after, she joined MSNBC as a host, becoming a key figure in the network’s political news and analysis programming.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.