Psaki has a tough job on regular days, it is only made that much tougher when there are difficult revelations that come unexpectedly, from the private sector, involve a person at the highest levels in the government, involve someone you want to protect, and someone who did something out of the ordinary that is – almost without question – the right thing to do, but also, possibly, quasi-illegal.

There is no doubt that Milley’s preemptive talk with his counterparts in China was a good idea. There was reason to believe that the Chinese government worried about a wag the dog scenario whereby an unstable Trump would start an unstable issue in the south China sea/Taiwan Straight, the small area on the globe within which every strategist has always believed to be the biggest threat to start a superpower war.

Still, it’s a little odd to have a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs practically assuring the “enemy” (sort of) that we’re well aware of the fact that our president is dumber than a flock of walking ducks and not mentally well. In the weeks prior to January 20th Milley assured the Chinese that we’re not about to allow something to happen.

Appropriately, the press – this time Fox News –  asked whether the White House believed it to be okay for Milley to go “somewhat” behind the president’s back, any president. Rather than say, “Yes, because Trump wasn’t a real president,” Psaki answered like a pro. From Mediaite:

Psaki replied that she didn’t want to speak about “anonymous unconfirmed reports about conversations with limited context,” but did add that President Joe Biden “has complete confidence in [Milley’s] leadership, his patriotism and his fidelity to our Constitution.”

Now watch this, this is where Psaki earns here money. This is where she – between the lines – says, “Of course, it was good! Trump was a raving fcking lunatic!”

She went on to note that “The outgoing president of the United States, during this period of time, fomented unrest leading to an insurrection and an attack on our nation’s Capitol on January 6th, which you all have covered extensively, of course, one of the darkest days in our nation’s history.”

Atta girl.

“Beyond reports in this book, there’s been widespread reporting and commentary from members of his own cabinet, the former president’s cabinet, I should say, including high ranking national security officials, questioning the former president’s stability, his behavior, and his suitability to oversee the national security of the United States,” Psaki said.

In other words, they knew Trump was too insane to handle the job in the moment but chose to stand by and do nothing. General Milley took reasonable steps to keep anxiety low and keep the peace.

And then the absolute hammer. She put the entire back in the Republican critics’ lap:

 “I don’t think the president is looking for the guidance of members of Congress who stood by while the president of the United States and the leader of their party fomented an insurrection, and many of them were silent.”

That is her best answer that we’ve heard her give to any question yet. Well done, Jen.

https://twitter.com/Breaking911/status/1438195537287725058

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