White House deputy press secretary TJ Ducklo, who allegedly threatened to “destroy” Politico reporter Tara Palmeri, has expressed his profound regret over the incident.
He has been placed on a week suspension without pay and he would no longer be assigned to work with any reporters at Politico.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki took to Twitter and said, “In addition to his initial apology, he has sent the reporter a personal note expressing his profound regret.”
In addition to his initial apology, he has sent the reporter a personal note expressing his profound regret.
— Jen Psaki (@PressSec) February 12, 2021
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She further added,” TJ Ducklo has apologized to the reporter, with whom he had a heated conversation about his personal life. He is the first to acknowledge this is not the standard of behavior set out by the President.”
TJ Ducklo has apologized to the reporter, with whom he had a heated conversation about his personal life. He is the first to acknowledge this is not the standard of behavior set out by the President.
— Jen Psaki (@PressSec) February 12, 2021
Politico editors reportedly had at least two calls with Ducklo’s superiors — including White House communications director Kate Bedingfield and press secretary Jen Psaki — to discuss his conduct.
Palmeri, a former New York Post reporter and co-author of Politico’s popular “Playbook” newsletter, was working on the story of Ducklo’s then-secret romance with Axios reporter Alexi McCammond.