In an unusual moment for a White House spokesman, John Kirby of the National Security Council offered repeated apologies on Tuesday for mistakenly stating that the US government had informed Iraq in advance about the recent airstrikes against Iran-backed groups. It was later revealed that Washington had not given Baghdad any early warning, contrary to what Kirby initially said on a press call following the retaliatory strikes.

Kirby expressed deep regret and issued his apologies to the reporters during a virtual gaggle session that primarily focused on other topics, including US aid to Ukraine. He explained that his incorrect statement had been based on the information available to him shortly after the airstrikes, which turned out to be incorrect. Kirby emphasized that there was no deliberate intention to deceive or misinform and assured that he took his responsibilities very seriously.

"I made a mistake there on Friday night," Kirby admitted, reaffirming his regret for the error. He promised to improve his performance going forward and to be more diligent in ensuring accurate information. Kirby's public apology marked a departure from previous responses by the Biden White House to high-profile errors.

Notably, President Biden's own remarks about the late Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) at a public event in 2022 were met with a different response. When Biden asked, "Where's Jackie?" and subsequently faced questions about the mistake, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre refused to admit any error and claimed that Walorski was just "top of mind."

The history of press secretaries from both parties shows a tendency to dig in and defend apparent falsehoods. Former President Donald Trump's initial press secretary, Sean Spicer, infamously defended Trump's false claim about the size of his inauguration audience in 2017. However, Spicer later expressed regret for his actions.

Last year, Jean-Pierre faced intense questioning from journalists regarding the alleged mishandling of classified documents at Biden's post-vice presidency office and Delaware home. Journalists pressed her on the initial incomplete statements made by the White House about the records found in Delaware. Jean-Pierre defended the omissions by stating that the search was still ongoing at the time.

While Jean-Pierre claimed transparency, reporters continued to probe for more information. She eventually mentioned limitations due to an ongoing Justice Department investigation, leaving several questions unanswered.

Kirby's sincere apology serves as a demonstration of accountability, reflecting a different approach within the current administration. As a regular co-host of White House briefings, Kirby's actions during this incident may have implications for his future prospects as a potential presidential press secretary.