White House press secretary Jen Psaki interrupted a Fox News Radio reporter who asked about the president’s gender discrimination order in Tuesday’s daily briefing.
The exchange with Fox News Radio correspondent Rachel Sutherland comes a day after Psaki teased another journalist on the same network who asked about the creation of “green jobs” following of the canceled Keystone XL pipeline.
Sutherland asked about the concerns expressed by some critics of the order, who say it will allow transgender school-age girls to participate in sports leagues for girls, which may present an uneven playing field.
“What message would the White House have for trans girls and cis girls who could end up competing with each other,” Sutherland asked. “Is it causing some demands and concern among parents, so does this administration have guidance for schools to address the problem that arises from trans girls competing against and with cis girls?”
“I’m not sure what your question is,” Psaki replied.
Sutherland then continued, “The president’s executive order must …” before being interrupted by Psaki.
“I’m familiar with the order, but what was your question about it?” the press secretary fired.
“The question is: does the president have a message for local school officials to address this type of dispute that is already beginning to arise between trans girls competing against cis girls and a uniform playing field, especially in the sports of high school when it leads to college scholarships, ”Sutherland said.
“Is there any kind of messaging or clarification the White House wants to give about the executive order?” added.
“I would just say that the president’s belief is that trans rights are human rights, and that’s why he signed this executive order,” Psaki said. “As for the determinations of universities and colleges, I would certainly postpone them.”
Biden’s executive order, signed on his first day in office, seeks to enforce a Supreme Court ruling last year that prohibits discrimination on the basis of someone’s gender identity and sexual orientation.