Instead of actually keeping his promises, Joe Biden has been steadily breaking them. The most recent broken promise involves the White House deputy press secretary, TJ Ducklo.
Breaking Promises
“I am not joking when I say this: If you are ever working with me and I hear you treat another colleague with disrespect, talk down to someone, I promise you I will fire you on the spot. No ifs, ands, or buts,” Joe Biden claimed while virtually swearing-in his appointees.
Apparently, he was lying.
After a story came out alleging that White House deputy press secretary TJ Ducklo intimidated and demeaned a Politico reporter for doing her job, Ducklo received only a one week suspension without pay.
Ducklo was attempting to bully Politico reporter Tara Palmeri into not reporting on his conflict-of-interest relationship with Axios reporter Alexi McCammond, who used to cover Biden’s campaign.
Ducklo’s Comments
According to a report released on February 12 by Vanity Fair, Ducklo threatened to “destroy” Palmeri and ruin her reputation if she reported on his relationship.
The deputy press secretary then went even further, accusing Palmeri of being “jealous” that an unknown man “wanted to f*ck” McCammond instead of her, according to Vanity Fair.
The report also discussed the story Ducklo was attempting to kill, noting that “due to the ethics questions that factor into the relationship between a journalist and White House official,” the deputy press secretary’s dating life fell “under the purview of” Palmeri’s reporting.
The Punishment
Politico reportedly had several discussions with senior officials within the White House about the incident, leading to the weak punishment of Ducklo.
After Vanity Fair’s report was published, White House press secretary Jen Psaki announced that Ducklo would be receiving a one-week suspension, and will “no longer be assigned to work with any reporters at Politico.”
“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. In addition to his initial apology, he has sent the reporter a personal note expressing his profound regret,” Psaki tweeted, seeming to downplay the incident.
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
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
Despite this “apology,” Vanity Fair reported that Ducklo failed to apologize for his real transgression: “threatening and sexually harassing the reporter.”
Ducklo Resigns
Ducklo released a statement on Twitter, which reads: “I know this was terrible. I know I can’t take it back. But I also know I can learn from it and do better.”
My statement on resigning from the White House. pic.twitter.com/3Jpiiv75vB
— TJ Ducklo (@TDucklo) February 14, 2021
“We accepted the resignation of TJ Ducklo after a discussion with him this evening. This conversation occurred with the support of the White House chief of staff,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement.
