During Tuesday’s press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that President Biden believes all of the Democrat Los Angeles City Council members who were caught on tape making racist comments should step down.
Los Angeles City Council members Nury Martinez and Kevin de León, both Democrats, have faced widespread protests and calls for their resignation after a leaked audio recording showed them making racist comments about Councilmember Mike Bonin, a gay white man, and his adopted black son.
While discussing Bonin, Martinez called his black son “Parece changuito,” or “like a monkey.” She later said Bonin is a “little b****” and said he is raising his child like a “little white kid.”
Martinez additionally made racist comments when discussing Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, saying, “F*** that guy… He’s with the blacks.”
Martinez has since resigned from her position.
Jean-Pierre was asked about the situation by reporters on Tuesday.
“The President has condemned racism many times since taking office,” a reporter said. “I wonder if he’s followed the situation on the Los Angeles City Council with Nury Martinez and the leaked recording of her using racist remarks to describe a colleague’s Black son. She said today she’s taking a leave of absence, but there are others — Senator Padilla, Mayor Garcetti — who have called for her to resign.”
“Does the President follow this? Does he have a reaction to what’s going on out there?” the reporter asked.
“Yes. He’s followed this. I spoke to him about it yesterday,” Jean-Pierre responded.
“Look, the President is glad to see that one of the participants in that conversation has resigned, but they all should. He believes that they all should resign,” she added. “The language that was used and tolerated during that conversation was unacceptable and it was appalling. They should all step down.”
