White House slaps down House Republicans for ‘political stunt’ over Zelensky visit

Republicans may be outraged over Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to a munitions plant in the key swing state of Pennsylvania, but the White House isn’t paying much heed to their complaints.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre used her Thursday press briefing to bat down gripes from House Republicans who are accusing Zelensky of improperly interfering in the upcoming US presidential election by visiting a weapons factory where artillery shells used by his country’s armed forces are being produced.

The Ukrainian leader is in the US to attend the UN General Assembly and is meeting with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House later in the day Thursday. He drew Republicans’ ire when he visited the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Pennsylvania over the weekend.

During his visit, Zelensky inspected production lines where the 155mm artillery shells, designed for the front lines in his country’s war with Russia, are manufactured. He did so alongside the state’s governor, Josh Shapiro.

While inspecting the plant, he told workers: “It is in places like this where you can truly feel that the democratic world can prevail. Thanks to people like these — in Ukraine, in America, and in all partner countries — who work tirelessly to ensure that life is protected.”

Zelensky’s sojourn in the Keystone State — and his subsequent criticisms of former president Donald Trump and his running-mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance — led House Republicans to level charges of putting a thumb on the scales for Harris, particular since Pennsylvania is an important swing state.

House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer was moved to send letters to the White House, Department of Justice and Department