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White House press secretary Jen Psaki was dragged on social media over a tweet questioning business closures ahead of a major snowstorm.
“Growing up in the northeast I will never understand the closing of stores and restaurants when there is barely an inch of snow on the ground yet,” Psaki tweeted Sunday.
Forecasts were already warning of snow headed to the D.C. area and snow had already begun falling by noon Sunday, eventually leaving around 1 to 2 inches in most of the region. That gave way to rain or freezing rain later in the night as temperatures dropped.
But Psaki’s comment, posted to Twitter in the afternoon, drew criticism from those who thought it was tone-deaf.
Jen Psucky https://t.co/i2pkYBVL5r
— Brian McFadden (@BrianMc_Fadden) January 16, 2022
Psaki’s tweet came even as officials in DC urged residents to stay off the roads.
If you can, stay off the roads! During snow events it’s best to stay off the roads. Fewer cars on the roads allows our crews space to pretreat and plow. It also helps our crews clear the roadways as quickly as possible. pic.twitter.com/IvOZuSCuUc
— DC Department of Public Works (@DCDPW) January 16, 2022
A short time after Psaki’s tweet was posted, videos and other images showed the real story on the roads.
Some snowy scenes around Arlington a few minutes ago. @capitalweather @WTOPtraffic @ARLnowDOTcom @hhowardWTOP @VaDOTNOVA @suepalkafox5dc #snow #weather #vatraffic #traffic #395cam #STATcam pic.twitter.com/zMfo5kXNzC
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) January 16, 2022
Accidents due to icy conditions, drivers running off the road because of the snow – even small amounts – were documented in tweets in response to Psaki’s comment.
Exhibit A https://t.co/tOjh5rGOao
— Dick and Disappointment (@RomeAirDog) January 17, 2022
Wait for it…. https://t.co/dagK60QhAP
— Alex Pagliuca (@alexapagliuca) January 16, 2022
Twitter users, even those on the left, spared no criticism of Psaki.
I find it embarrassing that the White House press secretary is doing this very tired take. https://t.co/jgHfyYIGLa
— Nathalie Baptiste (@nhbaptiste) January 16, 2022
sorry but why is the white house press secretary doing slice of life tweets in the first place https://t.co/XclJOP0s2q
— Alison Herman (@aherman2006) January 16, 2022
Because a temporary pause in normal activity literally saves lives, it’s basic public health.
(Yes, yes, I know the Biden @WhiteHouse has made clear their only familiarity with the concept is as a target for sarcastic derision.) https://t.co/miEtPiOha3
— Matthew “unwell anyway” Cortland, JD (@mattbc) January 16, 2022
Gosh, this woman is obsessed with telling us she doesn’t care about workers. https://t.co/DVwpFFDr7D
— Jess Scarane (@JessforDelaware) January 16, 2022
Absolutely perfect self-own from an administration that’s becoming known for self-ownage https://t.co/TzQpC8OdEy
— SPIRAL CURSE DEMARCO (@Clarknova1) January 16, 2022
It’s just such a bad take!
I’m in Canada, and we often close businesses before any snow has fallen at all! Because we know it *will* fall and we don’t want a bunch of workers trying to get home in conditions that have already turned dangerous!
— 😸 Adipose Regina 😸 (@adipose_regina) January 17, 2022
I am starting to wonder if @jrpsaki is a psy op sent to ruin the Democrats’ re-election chances and generally destabilize the republic https://t.co/9sNvar3aU0
— Dr. Thrasher (@thrasherxy) January 16, 2022
Perhaps you should Google, preparation. https://t.co/5vUZqdmeY0
— Shay Stewart Bouley (@blackgirlinmain) January 16, 2022
Quite the statement to make just two weeks after hundreds of working people, including federal employees, were stranded overnight on an icy highway https://t.co/t6RoMyGN9r
— Alissa Walker (@awalkerinLA) January 16, 2022
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