Under fire for allegedly hosting a secret Halloween theme party featuring movie star Johnny Depp at the White House in 2009, President Obama’s spokesman punched back, calling reports about the party “irresponsible” and denying that the White House tried to hide the event from the public.

“There are outlets that have reported this as a secret party, which is just silly — it’s irresponsible reporting to suggest that you would have a pool report and the press at an event that’s secret” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said today during the press briefing, adding that photos of Johnny Depp were available from the party. “This wasn’t a publicity event, this was an event for military children,” Carney also noted.