House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says that she views the sexual assault allegation levied against former Vice President Joe Biden as a “closed issue.”
Speaking to MSNBC’s Ari Melber on Tuesday night, Pelosi was shown a clip of Biden calling the allegation made by Tara Reade that he sexually assaulted her in 1993 “unequivocally” false and then asked the California Democrat whether she views the situation as a “closed issue.”
“Well, it is for me,” Pelosi responded. “I have said I am proud to support Joe Biden for president. I believe him when he says it didn’t happen. But I also believe it when he says, ‘Let them look into the records.’ And that’s what they should do. But I’m not going to answer this question again.”
Pelosi, who was a vocal critic of Judge Brett Kavanaugh during his Supreme Court confirmation process and referred to his confirmation as “profoundly heartbreaking,” has been forced to answer questions of a perceived double standard between her party’s treatment of Biden’s accuser compared to Kavanaugh’s.
“I respect your question, and I don’t need a lecture or a speech,” Pelosi said to a Washington Examiner reporter after a question about Democrats supporting Biden despite the sexual assault allegation.
“I have a complete respect for the whole #MeToo movement,” Pelosi added. “I have four daughters and one son. And there’s a lot of excitement around the idea that women will be heard and be able to be listened to.”
“I don’t need a lecture or a speech.”
That was @SpeakerPelosi‘s response after the Washington Examiner’s @KerryPicket asked if there was a double standard concerning sexual assault allegation against @JoeBiden. pic.twitter.com/b2Ftq3QTKT
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) April 30, 2020
Pelosi endorsed Biden last Monday, her earliest endorsement of a president since 2004, calling him a “leader who is the personification of hope and courage, values, authenticity, and integrity,”
