Psaki’s press briefing debut: No ‘pending’ Biden-Trump call after ‘gracious’ Oval Office letter

White House press secretary Jen Psaki downplayed any expectations of a phone call between President Biden and former President Donald Trump during her first briefing after her boss suggested he might seek his predecessor’s OK to release a private letter Trump left in the Oval Office.

Biden told reporters Wednesday evening that Trump did leave him a note before he left the White House that morning. He described the message, a tradition started by former President Ronald Reagan, as “generous.”

Psaki, on Wednesday night, repeated that description of the note’s tone, saying Biden is unlikely to share its contents publicly or seek a call with Trump to discuss doing so any time soon.

“I wouldn’t take it as an indication of a pending call with the former president,” she said.

But the new commander in chief will be working the phones during his first few full days behind the Resolute Desk.

Biden’s first phone call with a foreign leader will be with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday, according to Psaki. She suggested Russian President Vladimir Putin is not high on Biden’s call list; Democrats accused Trump of being in Putin’s pocket, though they never produced evidence to prove that claim.

Psaki’s first briefing was markedly less combative than those hosted by three of the Trump administration’s four White House press secretaries. She started her appearance, likely to become a near-daily occurrence, by reiterating her “deep respect for the role of a free and independent press.”

“Rebuilding trust with the American people will be central to our focus in the press office and in the White House every single day,” she said.

A veteran of former President Barack Obama’s White House and Department of State, Psaki did almost make a minor slip-up. She edged close to referring to Biden as “President Obama.”

“President O–Biden,” she said, correcting herself in real time.

Psaki took to the podium just as Biden’s first Cabinet-level official was confirmed by the Senate. Biden’s director of national intelligence, Avril Haines, was approved, 84-10.

She indicated Biden’s first full day as president would include a briefing, telling reporters they might get into several topics on which she had not talked with Biden “tomorrow.”