The White House defended President Joe Biden’s use of Marines in the background of his prime-time Philadelphia speech, saying it was not political because he was only standing up for democracy.
Several observers objected to the use of two Marines visible throughout the speech, with some saying it violated White House traditions that the military should be apolitical. Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre defended the placement during Friday’s press briefing.
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“Standing up for Democracy is not political,” she said. “Denouncing political violence is not political. Defending rights and freedom is not political. Making clear the challenges facing the nation is not political. We don’t call any of that political. We see that as leadership, and we see that as presidential.”
Several observers objected to the visible military presence at the speech, including CNN’s Jeff Zeleny.
There’s nothing unusual or wrong with a President delivering a political speech — it’s inherent in the job description — but doing it against a backdrop of two Marines standing at attention and the Marine Band is a break with White House traditions. pic.twitter.com/s3TSYHtkcA
— Jeff Zeleny (@jeffzeleny) September 2, 2022
Another CNN commentator, Brianna Keilar, tweeted, “Whatever you think of this speech the military is supposed to be apolitical. Positioning Marines in uniform behind President Biden for a political speech flies in the face of that. It’s wrong when Democrats do it. It’s wrong when Republicans do it.”
And despite Jean-Pierre’s claims about the speech being apolitical, many saw it as a partisan message attacking not only Republican politicians but even Republican voters.
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Several reporters questioned her about the speech and the Marines on Friday, and she roundly defended the move.
“The Marines who were standing behind [Biden] are men and women who believe in our democracy as well,” she said. “They fight for it every day.”
