Sean Spicer, former White House Press Secretary, threw a small tantrum on-air on Newsmax after current Press Secretary Jen Psaki suggested his appointment to the Naval Academy Board by former President Donald Trump might have been for political purposes.
Psaki's comment came after Spicer, Kellyanne Conway, Russell Vought, and others who were appointed to these boards late in Trump's presidency were asked to resign from the boards or face dismissal.
"I will let others evaluate whether they think Kellyanne Conway and Sean Spicer and others were qualified, or not political, to serve on these boards. But the president's qualification requirements are not your party registration. They are whether you're qualified to serve and whether you are aligned with the values of this administration."
Spicer accused Psaki of violating a tradition of White House Press Secretaries refraining from publicly commenting on their predecessors, despite the fact Psaki's comment included those who had not been Press Secretary.
On air, he raged:
"Don't you DARE ever minimize or question my service to this nation! You got it?"
It would seem Spicer also missed Psaki saying the President's qualification requirements also included people serving in these roles be aligned with the values of his administration.
He assumed she was questioning his military qualifications. Spicer previously served as a Public Affairs officer in the Navy, before joining the Navy Reserve in 1999.
He further announced he would refuse to step down.
"I'm announcing tonight for the first time that I will not be submitting my resignation... And I will be joining a lawsuit to fight this."
BREAKING: As the Biden administration attempts to remove Trump appointees from their Military Academy boards, @seanspicer calls out White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, and announces he will take legal action against the decision.pic.twitter.com/bPgLlJhFzK— Newsmax (@Newsmax) 1631139596
It didn't take long for people to begin mocking Spicer in the comments after Newsmax shared the video.
But Sean, I thought people served at the president\u2019s pleasure? I learned it from you!— Where\u2019s the water cooler? (@Where\u2019s the water cooler?) 1631140985
Showing he's equally astute at law as he was being press secretary.— Mike Ploucha (@Mike Ploucha) 1631140827
BREAKING: Sean Spicer says he will sue Biden for firing him & Kellyanne from their gifted board positions.\n\nWho else can't wait to see the judge laugh Sean & company out of court?— Chip Franklin\ud83c\udfdbInsideTheBeltway.com (@Chip Franklin\ud83c\udfdbInsideTheBeltway.com) 1631141721
Hey Sean - remember saying this?— L R King (@L R King) 1631142887
Conway also announced—via Twitter—she would refuse to step down from the Board of Visitors to the Air Force Academy while also calling for President Biden's resignation.
President Biden, I'm not resigning, but you should.pic.twitter.com/HuRYM4bLYP— Kellyanne Conway (@Kellyanne Conway) 1631133011
People found this quite laughable.
The Air Force Academy's Honor Code is, "I shall not lie, steal or cheat, nor tolerate anyone who does" so that sort of disqualifies you from the get-go— Asha Rangappa (@Asha Rangappa) 1631138769
Honorable Kellyanne Conway?! Honorable?! Are you trying to be funny?— \ud83d\udc80 Scary Larry \ud83d\udc80 \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udf0a\u270a\ud83c\udffb\ud83d\uddfd (@\ud83d\udc80 Scary Larry \ud83d\udc80 \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udf0a\u270a\ud83c\udffb\ud83d\uddfd) 1631134140
A few things:\n\n1. These seats typically go to Academy grads or Members of Congress. You didn\u2019t even so much as serve in the military, let alone graduate from one of the Service Academies.\n\n2. Your boss called American war dead \u201closers\u201d and \u201csuckers\u201d.\n\nSit down and hush.— Charlotte Clymer \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 (@Charlotte Clymer \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08) 1631135629
Some were surprised Conway and Spicer were serving on these boards in the first place.
Damn, this whole time Kellyanne Conway, Sean Spicer, and H.R. McMaster were sitting on Military Advisory boards?\n\nBetter late than never, those squatters are being evicted by President Biden ASAP.— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@BrooklynDad_Defiant!) 1631131242
Brian Tyler Cohen pointed out refusing to step down doesn't mean Spicer et al will keep their board positions, just that they will be fired.
Another Trump appointee who will be fired.https://twitter.com/jHiler/status/1435676671559012352\u00a0\u2026— No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen (@No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen) 1631135737
While Spicer and others threatened to fight this decision in court, it seems unlikely doing so will have much impact.
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