A White House spokesman resigned after threatening a journalist from Politico website. TJ Ducklo, who was close to President Biden, was already suspended. He would have threatened to “destroy” the woman in a phone conversation because she asked questions about his personal life.
Political journalist Tara Palmeri had recently researched Ducklos love affair with a reporter from news site Axios, Alexi McCammond. She reported to Axios on President Bidens election campaign. To avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, McCammond quit as a White House reporter in November.
When Palmeri approached Ducklo about the relationship, he said “a heated discussion about his personal life” arose. Ducklo was punished by a week of unpaid leave, but a few days later opts for dismissal.
Sorry
In a statement, Ducklo says he regrets his actions. “I used language that no woman should ever hear from anyone, especially in a situation where she was just trying to do her job. It was repulsive, disrespectful and unacceptable,” he writes.
The White House has accepted Duckls resignation. The departure was painful for President Biden, because unlike his predecessor Trump, he wants to develop a good relationship with the press. On his first day as President, Biden said that he immediately dismissed employees who do not treat colleagues with respect.