Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki issued a heartfelt apology on Friday to the families of the 13 Gold Star military service members who perished during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

Psaki's apology came during a transcribed interview with the House Foreign Affairs Committee, amid ongoing controversy over President Joe Biden's alleged behavior during a solemn ceremony honoring the fallen soldiers, as the Washington Examiner reports.

The former Biden press secretary's statement was made in response to inquiries from Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, who questioned her about the content of her book, Say More.

In her book, Psaki wrote that President Biden did not look at his watch during the late August 2021 ceremony at Dover Air Force Base.

Psaki Faces Inquiries Regarding Book

Leslie Shedd, the spokeswoman for the Foreign Affairs Committee majority, reported that McCaul asked Psaki multiple times if she had anything she wanted to communicate to the families of the fallen service members. The questioning focused on whether she stood by her book's assertion in light of public outrage.

Photographs from the Associated Press and other media sources appeared to show Biden checking his watch several times during the ceremony. This act has been a point of contention, with Republicans and former President Donald Trump using it to criticize Biden's empathy during the solemn occasion.

Mark Schmitz, the father of Marine Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, expressed deep frustration and pain in testimony delivered in August 2023. He recounted his experience at the ceremony, vividly recalling Biden's actions.

Families Share Their Pain and Anguish

Shana Chappell, the mother of Marine Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, also voiced her dismay on social media about Biden's behavior during the ceremony. Her words reflected the raw emotions felt by many families present that day.

In the interview with the Foreign Affairs Committee, Psaki ultimately requested Chairman McCaul to convey her apology to the families. She expressed regret for the pain that her comments may have caused them.

“The chairman asked Ms. Psaki about her comments regarding President Biden looking at his watch while at Dover [Air Force Base] and asked her if she had anything she wanted to say to the families on the record,” Shedd stated in a message to the Washington Examiner.

Psaki Requests Apology Be Conveyed To Families

After being pressed several times, Psaki asked McCaul to pass along her apology and express her regret for the pain she caused them. McCaul confirmed he had done so.

Prominent voices in the committee, such as Rep. Mike Waltz, have spoken out regarding Psaki’s apology.

Waltz emphasized the importance of this gesture, hoping that Psaki will fully follow through.

The lawmaker took to social media to share his thoughts after the interview, stating, "Just left the House Foreign Affairs interview with Jen Psaki. She agreed to apologize to the 13 Afghanistan Gold Star families whom she falsely contradicted in her book when she said Biden didn’t look at his watch."

Rep. Mike Waltz Expresses Hope for Follow-Through

Waltz elaborated further, asserting that this was not a partisan issue but a necessary act of compassion. "This isn’t a partisan or gotcha moment,'' Waltz continued. "This is the right thing to do as fellow Americans and I pray she follows through."

The interview with Psaki, which commenced at 11 a.m. on Friday, was detailed and continued into the late afternoon. By 5:30 p.m., Psaki was still engaged in the discussions, addressing various aspects of the incident and her book’s statements.

The situation surrounding Biden’s behavior during the ceremony has been a focal point of grief and contention for the Gold Star families. Their testimonies and social media posts illustrate the profound impact that the incident had on them during an already heart-wrenching period.

In sum, Jen Psaki has taken a significant step by offering an apology to the Gold Star families affected by the statements in her book. This acknowledgment encapsulates the broader discourse around accountability, empathy, and the impact of public figures' actions on grieving families.