W.H. on Kerry Justifying Terror: He ‘Doesn’t Believe There’s Any Justification’

‘He doesn’t believe there’s any justification for the kind of violence we’ve seen perpetrated by terrorists, either against people at Charlie Hebdo, or the kinds — or the citizens of France’

RUSH TRANSCRIPT:

KARL: "Can I ask you something about what John Kerry said?"

EARNEST: "Sure."

KARL: "John Kerry was commenting on these acts of terrorism and comparing them with the Charlie Hebdo attacks. Saying there was a sort of particular focus, perhaps even legitimacy in terms of -- not legitimacy, but a rationale, even attach yourself to say they are angry because of this and that. What do you make of the secretary of state suggesting that there could have been legitimacy to the attack on Charlie Hebdo, or the very least, a rationale to those attacks, and saying that somehow, those were more understandable than what happened in this latest Paris attack?"

EARNEST: "In the aftermath of that specific attack, we made quite clear from this podium that there is no justification for act of violence against act we saw carried out against the editors at Charlie Hebdo. I feel confident telling you that the secretary of state strongly believes that sentiment. He doesn't believe there's any justification for the kind of violence we've seen perpetrated by terrorists, either against people at Charlie Hebdo, or the kinds -- or the citizens of France."

KARL: "Why was he suggesting that was a legitimacy or a rationale?"

EARNEST: "He said the word legitimacy [crosstalk]. You will have to ask him about that."

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