The White House rarely admits a mistake, but on Monday White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest acknowledged -- after much criticism -- that the United States should have sent someone with a higher profile to the unity march in Paris on Sunday.
At least 40 world leaders and around 1.5 million people attended the rally that followed a series of deadly attacks in Paris, including a shooting spree at the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo last week.
The highest ranking U.S. official at the march was U.S. ambassador Jane Hartley. Attorney General Eric Holder was in Paris at the time but attended a counterterrorism meeting instead.
“We agree that we should have sent someone with a higher profile," Earnest said. He later added that the decision was not made by President Barack Obama.
WH admits screwed up. "We should have sent someone with a higher profile than US ambassador to #Paris march" says @PressSec #JeSuisCharlie— Jon Williams (@WilliamsJon) January 12, 2015
"Had the circumstances been a little different, the president himself would have liked to have been there," @PressSec says of Paris.— Matt Viser (@mviser) January 12, 2015
After much criticism of Obama's no-show in Paris, Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday said he will visit Paris on Thursday to show solidarity with the French.
Not an excuse in universe can explain why US failed to send to Paris a more visible rep. than Holder. MIAs BHO/Mrs BHO/Kerry/Biden— Aaron David Miller (@aarondmiller2) January 11, 2015
Kerry brushed aside the criticism earlier on Monday, saying U.S. officials had coordinated with their French counterparts in the immediate aftermath of the attacks last week. Kerry also said he had been unable to attend the march due to a prior commitment in India. However, he said, he is now going to Paris to make it "crystal clear" that the U.S. is standing by France.
"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," Kerry said on Monday.