House Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiTrump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names Black lawmakers unveil bill to remove Confederate statues from Capitol Pelosi: Georgia primary ‘disgrace’ could preview an election debacle in November MORE (D-Calif.) on Thursday said she had “no criticism” of former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE invoking his past working relationships with two segregationist senators as an example of “civility.”
“What I think is most important for all the candidates is authenticity, they are who they are, they’ve lived a life and they have grown from their experiences, and I think that’s what he’s trying to tell us,” Pelosi told MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell.
“I have no criticism of what he believes is his story to tell the American people, that he will work with anyone to get a good result for the American people.”
WATCH: Speaker Pelosi talks to @mitchellreports about Joe Biden’s comments on working with segregationists, President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE’s campaign kickoff, her advice for other presidential candidates, and Hope HicksHope Charlotte HicksCuomo turned down Trump invitation to participate in April press briefing: report Trump shakes up White House communications team Meadows joins White House facing reelection challenges MORE’ congressional testimony. pic.twitter.com/OzFB9HRZ6R
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) June 20, 2019
Biden has faced mounting criticism over the last two days after invoking former Sens. James Eastland (D-Miss.) and Herman Talmadge (D-Ga.) during a speech at a fundraiser Tuesday night.
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The former Delaware senator cited his ability to work with the segregationists as an example of “civility” that no longer exists in Congress, pointing out that Eastland never called him “boy.”
Several of Biden’s fellow White House hopefuls, including Sens. Cory BookerCory Anthony BookerRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants Black lawmakers unveil bill to remove Confederate statues from Capitol Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk MORE (D-N.J.) and Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.), demanded Biden apologize for the comment.
“You don’t joke about calling black men ‘boys,’” Booker, who is black, said in a statement. “Men like James O. Eastland used words like that, and the racist policies that accompanied them, to perpetuate white supremacy and strip black Americans of our very humanity.”
Other Democratic leaders, including House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.), defended Biden’s comments.
Biden rejected calls to apologize Thursday night, saying he doesn’t have “a racist bone” in his body.
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His campaign has pushed back fiercely against the criticism he’s received over the comments.
“[Biden] did not praise a segregationist. That is a disingenuous take. He basically said sometimes in Congress, one has to work with terrible or down right racist folks to get things done. And then went on to say when you can’t work with them, work around them,” Symone Sanders, a senior adviser for the Biden campaign, tweeted.