Karine Jean-Pierre has been nothing if not consistent. President Biden picked her for a reason when he was looking for a strong Press Secretary that can deliver his messages clearly.

That’s why, as reporters fill the Briefing Room, they know exactly what they’re in for with Jean-Pierre. She doesn’t mince words, and she calls on anyone brave enough to get an answer to a question that they may not actually like.

Sometimes, however, even Karine is in for a shock. When a reporter asks her something particularly dense, she can sometimes be taken off guard. Whether it’s just phrasing or it’s the sheer audacity to ask something patently obvious or ridiculous, every once in a while, a reporter catches her off guard.

That’s what happened at yesterday morning’s press briefing.

Fox News’s Ed Lawrence, apparently in full Trump-backside-makeout mode, was still offended by President Biden’s characterizations of Trump lately. Just before the election, as the campaigns wound to a close, the primary message coming from Biden, Kamala Harris, and Democrats in general was that Donald Trump is a threat to democracy.

I would say this falls under the patently obvious or ridiculous umbrella. Trump certainly didn’t stop being Trump when he won. In fact, he’s doubled down on just how low his regard for democracy is. By making the appointment announcements he’s made so far, he’s shown that he has no interest in being a serious president for all of America.

The man does not share values even with a generous portion of those who voted for him.

In fact, it wasn’t even just Democrats who joined the chorus of people calling Trump a fascist. Ex-aides, retired generals, and former advisors all variously somehow referenced Trump’s admiration of Hitler and his tendency to lean on the ideals of a dictatorship. It may not have been a message that resonated with enough people to stop his win, but if there was anything the American public needed to know before this important election, it was that they were looking at a man who wants to be a dictator.

The exchange between Lawrence and Jean-Pierre left her sounding incredulous:

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Go ahead, Ed.

ED LAWRENCE: Thanks, Karine. In — in the meeting, we saw a unified front related to a transition in the Oval Office meeting. But a lot was said on the campaign trail, like Trump is a dangerous “threat” to our country and our democracy. Was there an apology today?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I’m sorry?

ED LAWRENCE: Was there an apology from —

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Apology from whom?

ED LAWRENCE: — from President Biden for the words — some of the words he used?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: So, you — an apology from the president — President Biden —

ED LAWRENCE: To President-elect Trump for some of the words that was used on the campaign trail.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Look — and I’ve answered this a couple of times about a “threat to democracy” in the past week. The president is going to always feel obligated to be honest with the American people.

What he says still stands. And it’s not just him. You heard this from former staffers. You’ve heard that from the former chief of staff, John Kelly, and others. You’ve heard it directly from the president — president-elect, the former president about “enemy of the people” very, very clear — very clear.

What we want to be also very clear about is the importance of listening to the will of the American people. There was an election. It is important to respect our institution. It is important to respect the free and fair elections. And that’s what this president is doing: leading by example and putting — putting that aside and putting the American people first.

But what he said still stands. And it’s not just him. I don’t — we should not just put this at the president. His own people said this. So, I want to be really, really clear about that and not forget the facts. There are facts here that we should certainly also lift up as you’re asking me these questions.

The meeting that Lawrence was referencing was the same kind that was supposed to happen when Biden won the presidency in 2020. Trump famously refused to attend any such meeting, as he would have been expected to be conciliatory. That’s something Trump doesn’t do.

That may have even been foreshadowing of Trump behavior when Dr. Jill Biden, the current First Lady, invited Melania over for tea before Trump’s inauguration and was rebuffed by the incoming FLOTUS, who’s too busy selling pictures of herself acting like a regular person.

But Biden went ahead with the meeting. If Trump was expecting an apology from Joe, he doesn’t know him very well at all. But then, normal people can still have meetings with people they don’t like, when it’s necessary.

But Joe’s never going to apologize for telling it like it is. Watch: