TJ Ducklo, a long-time campaign aide for U.S. President Joe Biden serving as deputy press secretary, has been suspended for a week without pay after he, allegedly, after issued a sexist and profane threat to another reporter, the Associated Press reported Saturday.
According to White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, beheavior that Ducklo has shown was "completely unacceptable." The White House spokesperson, allegedly, threatened to "destroy" Politico reporter Tara Palmeria who was asking questions about his private life, according to BBC.
Ducklo, allegedly, called the reporter and said: "I will destroy you". He also made other derogatory and misogynistic comments, Vanity Fair said.
Psaki said while she had not discussed the matter to President Biden, Ducklo and aides "at the highest levels" of the White House's communications team had apologized for the incident.
Psaki said Ducklo will not be allowed to work with Politico reporters again.
Some observers have criticized Biden for not taking a stronger action. The president has previously said he would not hesitate sacking "on the spot" any White House personnel who speak disrespectfully to colleagues.
In a statement, Politico editor-in-chief Matt Kaminski and editor Carrie Budoff Brown acknowledged raising concerns with the Psaki about Ducklo's conduct.
"No journalist at Politico - or any other publication or network - should ever be subjected to such unfounded personal attacks while doing their job," The Guardian quoted the editors as saying.
Former president Donald Trump's White House staff was known for an oppositional relationship with journalists, frequently picking fights with and hurling personal attacks at members of the press from behind the podium.
Ducklo's personal life came under scrutiny earlier this week when Politico wrote a story on his relationship with a journalist for the news organization Axios tasked to cover Biden's campaign and its transition.
