John Kerry Affirms Solidarity With France, Announces Upcoming Paris Trip In The Wake Of Unity Rally Criticism [PHOTO]

The Obama administration has recently been criticized for not having a larger presence during this past Sunday's rally for unity in Paris. According to ABC News, the rally was attended by about 40 world leaders and more than a million people, but neither Kerry nor Obama were in attendance.

Kerry has recently spoken out about the controversy, and has also announced his plans to travel to Paris this upcoming week. He said that Obama had been "deeply engaged" with French authorities almost immediately after the first attack occurred.

He also stated, "I really think that this is sort of quibbling a little bit in the sense that our Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland was there and marched, our ambassador was there and marched, many people from the embassy were there and marched."

Kerry added, "That is why I am going [to France] on the way home and to make it crystal clear how passionately we feel about the events that have taken place there. I don't think the people of France have any doubt about America's understanding about what happened, about our personal sense of loss and our deep commitment to the people of France in this moment of trial."

According to NPR, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest recently stated during a briefing, "We should have sent someone with a higher profile," conveying the administration's possible faux pas.

However, the administration is trying its best to rid itself of the negative image it gained from recent criticism. In fact, Attorney General Eric Holder is scheduled to travel to Paris this weekend.

Brian Fallon, a spokesman for the Department of Justice issued this statement: "The Attorney General changed his schedule to travel to Paris this weekend to personally express his solidarity with the people of France. He attended an emergency counterterrorism meeting at the French Interior Ministry and, though he had to return to Washington Sunday afternoon, he was proud to join the world leaders gathered in Paris at a summit convened by President Hollande before the unity rally...

Standing alongside French officials, the Attorney General declared 'we are all citizens of France,' and pledged the Justice Department's continued assistance to the French authorities as they conduct their investigation."

Tags
John Kerry
Obama
France
Eric Holder
Join the Discussion

Latest Photo Gallery

Real Time Analytics