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Jen Psaki slams Fox's Peter Doocy over clip of kids thrown over border wall, Internet tells her 'stop that smirk'

'Are you concerned about the kids’ safety? Or are you concerned about kids getting in?' Psaki snapped at the reporter

Jen Psaki found herself in disagreement Fox News' Peter Doocy over the current situation at the US-Mexico border after a video showing children being thrown over the border wall surfaced. Doocy questioned the White House press secretary if the White House has plans of tightening security along the border, but in response, Psaki condemned “the inhumane way smugglers abuse children” as “criminal and morally reprehensible," quoting Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. 

Psaki clarified that President Joe Biden agrees with Mayorkas, and updated that the children seen in the video were “rescued” by people appointed at the border. “They still got close enough, as you guys are talking about, addressing root causes in the region, for a smuggler to throw them over a wall into the desert and I’m just curious what the White House is doing to stop that from happening,” Doocy pushed back, prompting quite the retort from Psaki.

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“Are you concerned about the kids’ safety? Or are you concerned about kids getting in?” Psaki at snapped the reporter, after which Doocy insisted his interests lie in the children's safety. Psaki retorted again "Well, of course, it is. Which is why I’m often surprised by some of the lines of questioning here, but, I will say that our concern and our focus is on sending a clear message to the region that this is not the time to come. You should not send your kids on this treacherous journey. That these smugglers are praying on vulnerabilities in these communities.”

Psaki also stressed that there's a lot of work to be done, especially when it comes to addressing the “root causes” of migration. she also thanked the border agents who helped “save these kids.” The exchange between the two has been celebrated thoroughly by critics of the Biden Administration on Twitter, with a user writing: "Peter Doocy getting under Jen Psaki's skin makes my day." Another tagged Psaki and asked in a tweet: "why do you always talk down to Fox Press Peter Doocy with smirk looks and smirky answers that make you look like a idiot? You know crap about your job with sooner and near later you will be replaced. Act professional, give clear solid answers and stop your smirky looks".

Another criticized how "Peter Doocy starts question on borders and Jen Psaki holds up her hand to block him. Then tongue out as sign of contempt. When asked about the video of kids dropped over fence, she reminds herself to be tight lipped." One noted: "As good as Jen Psaki is, and I believe like many she is outstanding, the White House Press is amateurish. Fox's Doocy is not ready for prime time or any time. The only ones getting got by attempted gotchas are the CNN reporter last week, and now this memorably unmemorable guy."

This exchange comes after Psaki was grilled about policies dealing with migrants at the border on Monday, March 22, during her daily briefing. Regarding the Biden White House's response to the border situation, she was asked questions like why migrants were provided with hotel rooms using taxpayers' money while National Guard troops had to sleep in parking garages in Washington, DC, earlier this year.