White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Thursday said that President Biden implied no offense when he said a week ago that Indian Americans are “taking over the country,” and that he was really “honoring and valuing” their commitments.
Psaki was asked at her every day press preparation by journalist Lalit Jha of the Press Trust of India on the off chance that she could “explain” Biden’s comment after criticism.
“The president was simply perceiving and honoring and valuing — or this was his goal — the fantastic commitment of Indian Americans to science, he was addressing an Indian American lady who is, obviously, a researcher and a significant piece of the NASA group. What’s more, he additionally was, obviously, perceiving the extraordinary commitment of his own VP,” Psaki said.
“Also, he simply accepts — that was an impression of his conviction that Indian Americans make an incredible commitment to the structure holding the system together, regardless of whether it’s science or education or the government. Also, that was the thing he was attempting to pass on.”
Biden made his eyebrow-raising comment during a webcast with Swati Mohan, NASA’s direction and controls tasks lead for the Mars Perseverance rover landing.
“It’s astonishing. Indian-plunge Americans are taking over the country — you, my VP, my speechwriter,” Biden said.
Biden has recently drawn criticism for abnormal comments about racial minorities, including remarks about Indian Americans.
He said in 2006, while a congressperson: “In Delaware, the biggest development of populace is Indian Americans, moving from India. You can’t go to a 7-11 or a Dunkin’ Donuts except if you have a slight Indian inflection. I’m not kidding.”
VP Kamala Harris’ mom was brought into the world in Chennai, India, Her dad was brought into the world in Jamaica.