W.H.: Planned Parenthood Shouldn’t Be Investigated Because Videos Faked

KARL: “To come back to the Planned Parenthood videos, I wonder if you have an answer know whether or not the president has actually seen any of these videos.”

EARNEST: “I have not asked him that question point-blank, but I know that he is aware of the news that those videos have generated.”

 JOHN: “One of the central questions here of course is whether or not Planned Parenthood was involved in selling the fetal tissue for profit. There sure seems to be a strong suggestion that is that we what was being talked about on those videos. Does the White House believe this should be investigated? Obviously selling fetal tissue for profit is against the law. Does the White House believe it should be investigated?”

EARNEST: Again, what I will say as I have not seen the video, but those who have taken a close look at them have raised some significant concerns about their authenticity and whether or not they accurately convey the view of those particular officials or in the broader institution. The New York Times described this as a campaign of deception, The Seattle Times described this as — and the New York Daily News as grossly misleading. The other thing I looted to yesterday as we’ve seen this kind of tactic be unscented by other extremist organizations that have an ideological agenda, and they marshaled what is purported to be convincing and damning evidence that later did not prove to hold up to much scrutiny, so I guess the scrutiny that these videos have gotten much — thus far by a handful of news organizations raises doubts about their authenticity. When it comes to specific determination about what is to be reach about it whether or not any sort of behavior or criminal action took place, that is obviously a determination that will be made by career prosecutors at the John: It seems like — prosecutors at the –“

KARL: “It seems like this is criminal behavior. The White House believe that this long-standing ban on the for-profit fetal tissue sale should be enforced?”

EARNEST: “Of course this is the policy and the law, and we think everybody should be following the law. It is also a question of ethics, and what Planned Parenthood has indicated is that their standards are consistent with the highest ethical standards that are out there. And again, there are significant questions that have been raised by outside organizations about the content of these videos, so I think that would explain the comments that I’ve shared here, but when it comes to making decisions about whether an investigation of possible criminal activity orcharges being brought consistent with the suspicion of criminal activity, those would be questions for the Department of Justice.”

...

EARNEST: “The standards they say they have in place are certainly relevant in this case, it again, those who have taken close look at the videos have raised some significant concerns based on their own observations about the authenticity of the video. Ultimately, I think the American people will take a look at the evidence and decide for themselves.”

KARL: “No one here has taken a close look at the video.”

EARNEST: “I think it is possible that people here have seen the video. It is based on the fact that it has gotten a lot of news attention. I haven't. I don't know if the president has. I certainly know there are a handful of people who would generally be described as a partial observers, who have raised concerns about the contents of those videos.”