Psaki confronted on Biden's hot mic comment to reporter: He doesn't 'dismiss' deterring Putin

White House press secretary Jen Psaki was confronted Friday over President Biden's dismissal of a question about the Russia-Ukraine conflict as "stupid," saying he did in fact not dismiss the idea of "proactive deterrence."

Biden was caught on a hot mic muttering "what a stupid question" after Fox News correspondent Jacqui Heinrich asked him, "Why are you waiting on [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to make the first move, sir?" Biden earlier this week sparked an outcry in Ukraine and around the world after he suggested a "minor incursion" by Russia into Ukraine would merit a different response than a more full-scale invasion.

"Is the president aware that he was caught on a hot mic yesterday? Why does he appear to be dismissing the idea of proactive deterrence?" Heinrich asked Psaki at Friday's briefing.

"Well, the president certainly does not dismiss that idea, considering he has taken a lot of steps including supporting and approving the several sanctions that were put out by the Treasury Department just a couple of days ago," Psaki said.