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Jen Psaki doesn't want you to say Americans are 'stranded' in Afghanistan, here's why

Jen Psaki said that saying Americans are 'stranded' is irresponsible since the government is trying to bring everyone home

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki slammed those calling Americans left behind in Afghanistan 'stranded'. Psaki, who has been oft-criticized in the wake of the Taliban siege, said that it's "irresponsible" to use the term "stranded" for the alleged 10 to 15 thousand Americans awaiting evacuation amid rising fears of the Taliban potentially massacring them. And the internet slammed her back for her opinion on the term.

Previously Psaki was slammed by former WH press secretary Kayleigh McEnanny for failing to deliver daily updates on the Taliban takeover. The internet had also criticized Psaki for going MIA amid the Kabul debacle — much like POTUS Joe Biden and Veep Kamala Harris have been accused of 'running away' from the crisis. With news of only 2,500 Americans getting evacuated from Kabul and desperate Afghans begging Biden to rescue them before the Taliban gets to them, the general public has been seething in anger. And Psaki's recent comments simply added fuel to fire.

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Psaki made the comments on Monday, August 23, when she rebuked a journalist for asking about the Americans "stranded" in Afghanistan. “I think it’s irresponsible to say Americans are stranded. They are not. We are committed to bringing Americans who want to come home, home,” Psaki said at her daily press briefing, adding: "We are in touch with them via phone, via text, via email, via any way that we can possibly reach Americans to get them home if they want to return home.”

Fox News' Peter Doocy further questioned Psaki about whether Americans are "stranded" in the now Taliban-ruled state, Psaki reiterated: “I’m just calling you out for saying that we are stranding Americans in Afghanistan when I said — when we have been very clear that we are not leaving Americans who want to return home. We are going to bring them home and I think that’s important for the American public to hear and understand.” Watch the exchange on video, below:

Many, however, are not entirely convinced that the government is doing enough to bring ex-pats home. "It's not irresponsible if it's true... There are literally Americans who cannot get to the airport right now," tweeted one. Another dubbed Psaki a liar and tweeted: "So lying makes her a hero. Got it." Another asked: "How can you say with a straight face, 'they are not stranded' if in the next breath say 'we need to go get them'?? By def you're not stranded if you don't need to rely on someone else to leave. Ala, they're stranded until we get them.. wtf people".

Some mocked her, tweeting: "I too think it's irresponsible to say Americans are stranded. Saying they’ve been abandoned is a much better description." Others argued: "She didn't answer his question and proceeded to use a red herring (which was also objectively wrong) to avoid answering it. That is horrible communication; the whole point is to exchange information, not conceal it."