Biden clashed with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over whether American athletes in the 2022 Winter Olympics should criticize China’s terrifying human rights abuses, such as the ethnic cleansing and genocide of the Uyghurs.
The Right to Protest as US Government Boycotted Beijing’s Games
Speaking on behalf of Biden on Monday, press secretary Jen Psaki declared his support for peaceful protests by US athletes during the current Olympic Games in China.
Her statement came in stark contradiction to comments from Pelosi telling the American Olympic delegation to not anger the authorities of communist China.
During her press briefing on Monday, Biden’s press secretary said American athletes have the right to “freely express themselves” during the course of the Olympics in Beijing. Psaki added, as cited by The Daily Mail, the right in question is unconditional.
The White House press secretary also stressed China has the responsibility to guarantee a safe environment for all athletes, even in cases of peaceful protest.
The governments of the United States and several other countries, such as the UK, Canada, and Australia, are presently staging a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics. This is due to China’s blatant human rights atrocities.
In spite of the diplomatic boycott, Biden has been declaring support for Team USA athletes competing in the 2022 Winter Olympics. One gesture of support occurred last week at the start of games in Beijing when the White House lit up in red, white and blue.
#OLYMPICS: Jen Psaki is asked if Olympic athletes should refrain from criticizing China, as has been recommended by Speaker Pelosi. pic.twitter.com/RLBmmR0KDf
— Forbes (@Forbes) February 7, 2022
She’s basically saying we’re China’s bitch now 👇🏼pic.twitter.com/u6nlrc4gzg
— Art TakingBack 🇺🇸 (@ArtValley818_) February 3, 2022
Pelosi Contradicted Herself Since China is Mistreating Athletes Anyway
Last week, Pelosi triggered controversy by advising US Olympians not to speak out in protest on Chinese soil in order to avoid “incurring the anger” of the communist regime. Her justification asserted the Chinese government is “ruthless.”
Pelosi’s advice for Team USA athletes to keep quiet was bizarre, considering how she lambasted the International Olympic Committee (and its corporate sponsors) for “turning a blind eye” to China’s repressions and still holding the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Pelosi even contradicted herself further by arguing there is no way for Americans not to speak out with respect to the genocide against the Uyghurs that China is committing.
At the same time, Pelosi argued the actual genocide isn’t the only justification for opposing the actions of the People’s Republic of China. Another reason, in her words, is the fact that American workers are competing with China’s slave labor.
The Democrat House Speaker also sought to portray herself as a great critic of China for the past 30 years.
As per Rule 50 of the International Olympic Charter, athletes are banned from engaging in “propaganda” of “political, religious or racial” type; although its application has been eased.
Time will tell what ultimately comes from US athletes competing in China.
China committed an act of biowarfare upon the world. They are imprisoning and torturing an ethnic minority. China is being rewarded with the Olympics and its economic benefits, which will enrich the CCP. And all Nancy Pelosi can do is tell our athletes not to piss them off.
— Eric Matheny 🎙 (@EricMMatheny) February 4, 2022
Nancy Pelosi delivers message to US athletes on behalf of her masters in China. pic.twitter.com/T8YZN5IjsA
— Wall Street Silver (@WallStreetSilv) February 4, 2022
