On Monday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faced a heated exchange with Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy over funding priorities, specifically regarding hurricane relief efforts and U.S. financial aid to Lebanon.

Apr 30, 2022; Washington, DC, USA; Steve and Peter Doocy arrive at the White House Correspondents Association annual dinner at the Washington Hilton. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY

The confrontation occurred during a press briefing when Doocy questioned the Biden-Harris administration’s decision to allocate $157 million to Lebanon without Congressional approval while simultaneously claiming there could soon be a shortage of funds for hurricane relief in the U.S.

Doocy asked Jean-Pierre, “How can they have $157 million to give Lebanon without reaching out to Congress, but then in the next breath say they are going to be out of money in the future for hurricane relief to help Americans?”

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This inquiry came as Americans are still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, with another storm, Hurricane Milton, on the horizon.

Jean-Pierre immediately pushed back, calling the question “misinformation.” She tried to shut down the exchange, stating that spreading misinformation was “dangerous.”

However, Doocy pressed further, highlighting President Biden’s often-quoted statement: “Show me your budget, and I will tell you what you value.” He argued that the administration’s actions were not aligning with the values they claim to hold.

“You can’t call a question you don’t like misinformation,” Doocy responded, challenging Jean-Pierre’s dismissal of his question.

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Jean-Pierre acknowledged that the administration would need additional funding for disaster relief in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton but reiterated that the scope of Hurricane Milton’s damage was still unknown.

Doocy continued to press for clarity, asking how the administration could justify asking Congress for more relief funds while also rapidly allocating millions to Lebanon.

At this point, Jean-Pierre became visibly frustrated, accusing Doocy of not supporting disaster relief efforts before abruptly leaving the briefing.

Washington DC USA – July 25, 2024 – White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre took questions about Biden’s Oval Office speech announcing his withdrawal from the election.

This dramatic exit came as Doocy persisted, pointing out that both Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken had publicly promoted the $157 million in aid to Lebanon, referring to the country’s ongoing “humanitarian crisis.”

The debate raised questions about the administration’s funding priorities, particularly among Americans affected by recent hurricanes.

Doocy’s line of questioning reflected the concerns of many who are still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Helene and are now bracing for Hurricane Milton.

“Imagine you’re suffering from the hurricane or you have family who are, and you see that,” Doocy said. “Why can’t that money be deployed for hurricane relief if it can be deployed for relief for people in Lebanon? And why are you spending it on Lebanon?”

The White House has argued that U.S. foreign aid and disaster relief funds come from separate budgetary categories, but Doocy pointed out that “a taxpayer dollar is a taxpayer dollar,” and Americans want to know why that money isn’t being directed to help their own citizens in times of crisis.

He further noted that President Biden had recently posted about the potential exhaustion of the Small Business Administration’s disaster loan program, which could run out of funds if Congress does not act soon.

“This is not misinformation. That is a FACT,” Doocy stated, defending his questioning of the administration’s decisions.

As the administration faces mounting criticism, some lawmakers are also pushing for changes. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) has called for funds allocated to other programs, such as aid for migrants through FEMA’s Shelter and Services program, to be redirected to disaster relief for American citizens.

These funds, according to FEMA’s website, have been used to support noncitizen migrants, which has raised additional concerns about the allocation of federal resources during times of domestic emergencies.

In addition, whistleblowers within FEMA have raised alarms about potential misappropriation of funds, leading to further calls for accountability and transparency in how disaster relief funds are managed.

While the White House has yet to provide a comprehensive response to these concerns, the administration’s abrupt handling of the questions during Monday’s briefing has only fueled the debate.

Former President Donald Trump has been quick to seize on the issue, and many are calling for reforms to ensure that U.S. disaster relief is prioritized for American citizens.

With the 2024 election approaching, the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of domestic and foreign aid spending will likely remain a key point of contention.

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