White House Deputy Press Secretary TJ Ducklo resigned the day after he was suspended for questioning a sexist and ominous threat to a journalist about his relationship with another reporter.
In a statement Saturday, Ducklo said he was “devastated to have embarrassed and disappointed my colleagues in the White House and President Biden”.
“No words can express my regret, my embarrassment and my disgust for my behavior,” he said. ‘I used language that no one ever needs to hear from anyone, especially in a situation where she’s just trying to do her job. It was an abominable, disrespectful and unacceptable language. ‘
This is the first departure of the new government, less than a month into President Joe Biden, and it comes as the White House has been criticized for failing to meet the standards set by Biden himself in their decision to retain Ducklo. .
During the fact that the staff was virtually sworn in on the day of the inauguration, Biden said, “If you ever work with me and I hear you treat another colleague with respect, then talk to someone, I will fire you right away. No ifs, ands or buts. ”
Ducklo was suspended for a week without pay on Friday after a Vanity Fair report surfaced in which he outlined his sexist threats against a female Politico journalist for trying to suppress a story about his relationship and her ‘I will destroy you’ .
The journalist tried to report on his relationship with a political reporter at Axios, who had previously discussed the Biden campaign and transition.
Before Politico broke the story on Tuesday, People Magazine published a glowing profile of the relationship. It was the first time anyone had publicly acknowledged that they were dating.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Friday addressed questions about the controversy, with reporters questioning Biden’s comments and questioning the decision to suspend Ducklo for just a week.
Confronted with the president’s comments, Psaki said on Friday that Ducklo’s behavior “does not meet our standards, it does not meet the president’s standard, and it is important that we take a step to make this clear.” .
She points to excuses made by the top members of the White House’s communications team and Ducklo himself to the Politico reporter, as sufficient moves that reflect the seriousness of the situation.
On Saturday, Psaki said in a statement that Ducklo’s decision comes with the support of Ron Klain, White House Chief of Staff, adding that ‘we are committed to striving every day to meet the standard set by the President to make others worthy and respectful, with civility and with value to others through our words and our actions. ”