The news has been hard to watch since the 2016 election, no matter where you stand politically. Things are tense, scary, and a lot is going on each and every day, which is why it didn’t help that White House press secretary Sarah Sanders snapped at journalist April Ryan when she asked a question about slavery.

We’re not saying the job of press secretary is easy — it’s likely extremely stressful getting up in front of groups of reporters each and every day. But the Trump administration’s press secretaries have been infamously easy to anger. Remember Sean Spicer? Or Anthony Scaramucci? And things got especially uncomfortable Wednesday when current press secretary Sanders snapped after receiving a question about the White House’s position on slavery and the Civil War.

In case you missed it, earlier this week Donald Trump’s Chief of Staff John Kelly appeared on Fox News to discuss the removal of Confederate monuments across the country. During the interview, Kelly defended Confederate general Robert E. Lee, adding “[…] the lack of an ability to compromise led to the Civil War, and men and women of good faith on both sides made their stand where their conscience had them make their stand.”

And people were quick to take issue with this statement.

Last night, White House Chief of Staff John Kelly said that the Civil War was a product of our failure to "compromise" and praised Robert E. Lee. It was straight Lost Cause-ism, no chaser.



He should watch this video. Everyone should. pic.twitter.com/KHYdNBd9UD

— Ezra Klein (@ezraklein) October 31, 2017

Enough about John Kelly being the “adult in the room.” He’s out here praising Robert E. Lee and falsifying history. pic.twitter.com/22BXNOqSMt

— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) October 31, 2017

John Kelly, you’re a general and you don’t know why the Civil War happened? What do you think caused World War II? A zoning issue? #LSSCpic.twitter.com/t3cZyYLxob

— The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) November 1, 2017

Many also noted that, when it comes to slavery, there shouldn’t have to be any “compromise.”

Then, on Tuesday, press secretary Sanders defended parts of John Kelly’s comments, specifically in regards to Robert E. Lee, saying, “All leaders are flawed.” As she left the podium, journalist April Ryan called out, “Does this administration believe slavery was wrong?” to which Sanders gave no reply.

On Wednesday, Ryan again asked Sanders to clarify the administration’s stance on slavery and compromise. Sanders told Ryan that she wasn’t going to “relitigate” the Civil War, adding, “I think it is disgusting and absurd to suggest anyone inside this building would support slavery.”

Tense exchange when April Ryan asks Sanders if Trump believes that slavery is wrong. (via ABC) pic.twitter.com/TxnVwXIgZF

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 1, 2017

There is nothing “disgusting” or “absurd” about a journalist trying to do her job and make sense of the administration’s defense of a controversial historical figure who fought to keep slavery in place. And Sanders’ initial defense of Kelly’s comments, in which she said “all leaders are flawed,” was reminiscent of Trump’s initial response to the white supremacist rallies in Charlottesville this summer, in which he said that there were “many sides” to the issue.

@AprilDRyan working overtime to keep it real and in your face about General John Kelly’s remarks that Robert E Lee was honorable man. #crazypic.twitter.com/cuWWrOQh8C

— Audra MsBlu Berger (@MsBlunyc) November 2, 2017

For her part, Ryan defended her line of questioning on CNN, saying:

“There was still confusion. So I asked a simple question. As they’re supporting the confederacy and these statues and Robert E. Lee […]. That’s a legitimate question.”

When all is said and done, we think it’s fair to say that a journalist politely and respectfully asking a question deserves a polite and respectful answer in return. Representatives of our White House can and should do better.