On Twitter, Hawley detailed his extensive findings in a lengthy thread that stretched over many tweets and on Fox News’ “Hannity.” When it comes to the White House’s response, however, Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Friday characterized Hawley’s concerns as “disingenuous assaults.”
“You know, the hold that some Republicans have on her,” a reporter asked. “Some Republicans are still saying she’s soft on crime, as you said,” Psaki added, alluding to how “a group of far-right GOP senators…have started a last-ditch, desperation effort against her record on prison sentencing in sexual offense cases.”
Psaki went further:
“What’s essential, I believe, is the truth. And the reality is that in the vast majority of instances involving child sex crimes, Judge Jackson’s sentences were consistent with or exceed what the government or United States probation recommended.”
“This attack, which we’ve seen the last few days, relies on factual inaccuracies and a complete misinterpretation of Judge Jackson’s record. It dishonestly took a tiny portion of a transcript out of context when in reality, as I just said, Judge Jackson was in fact repeating something a witness had previously stated in order to inquire about their testimony. It also acknowledges that — omitting that the Sentencing Commission Report was unanimously accepted by the Commission and is therefore by law bipartisan with equal representation.”
However, such a response does nothing to satisfy Hawley’s demand that “the Sentencing Commission has refused to hand over all Judge Jackson’s records from her time there.” Furthermore, Hawley’s claims go beyond transcripts and include sentencing.
On Friday, Psaki announced that “we’re going to keep going from here and repeat what the actual facts are, and we hope people who see this process with a serious light — or state that they are taking it seriously — will also take into account the facts and not use disingenuous attacks.” She did not respond to a portion of the reporter’s question, which inquired if she was worried about sullying public opinion as hearings next week approach.