The White House on Monday backed U.S. Olympic hammer thrower Gwen Berry’s right to protest as the athlete draws criticism from Republican lawmakers for …
The White House on Monday backed U.S. Olympic hammer thrower Gwen Berry’s right to protest as the athlete draws criticism from Republican lawmakers for turning away from the country’s flag while the national anthem played at the U.S. track and field trials recently. During a press conference, White House press secretary Jen Psaki was asked by a reporter whether Biden thought it was “appropriate behavior” for an athlete representing the nation to turn away from the flag as the anthem plays. Psaki said in a response that, while she hasn’t spoke to President Biden specifically about Berry’s actions, she knows he is “incredibly proud to be an American and has great respect for the anthem and all that it represents.” “He would also say that part of that pride in our country means recognizing there are moments where we, as a country, haven’t lived up to our highest ideals, and means respecting the right of people granted in the Constitution to peacefully protest,” she continued.
