White House: ‘We are not focused on the former president at all’

The White House on Thursday said that it was not focused on former President Trump when questioned about his upcoming Saturday rally in Sarasota, Fla.

“We are not focused on the former president at all,” White House deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said when asked if Trump should still hold his rally in light of the rescue efforts surrounding the partial collapse of a condo building in Surfside, Fla.

She spoke to reporters while traveling to the disaster-stricken community, where President Biden will meet with first responders and families impacted by the deadly partial collapse.

“We are focused primarily on the American people, what can the president do. This is what the president’s focused on, what can he continue to do to make their lives better. Right now, today, is all about the community at Surfside, making sure we’re offering up our condolences, making sure we’re offering up all the help that we can provide to them at this time,” she said.

“And also lifting up our first responders who have been working tirelessly around the clock, doing the work that they’re doing in their search and rescue,” she added.

Jean-Pierre also said the White House has seen the coverage about the Trump Organization’s longtime chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, who reportedly surrendered to the Manhattan district attorney’s office following reports that a grand jury filed criminal indictments against the executive and the organization for tax-related charges.

She said they have been following the news for the “past 12 hours or so” but wouldn’t further comment.

“We’re not going to comment on any specific case at this time,” she said. “And, generally, the president believes and has made clear that it’s long past due for wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share and he’s announced a number of initiatives to crack down on tax evasion by high-income individuals and big corporations.”