President Obama’s administration “questions the judgment” of publishing cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed, given the possibility that it could cause unrest in the Middle East.

“We are aware that a French magazine published cartoons featuring a figure resembling the Prophet Mohammed, and, obviously, we have questions about the judgment of publishing something like this,” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said today during the press briefing. “We know that these images will be deeply offensive to many — and have the potential to be inflammatory –  but we’ve spoken repeatedly about upholding the freedom of expression that is enshrined in our Constitution.”

He reiterated that point. “We don’t question the right of something like this to be published, we just question the judgment behind the decision to publish it,” Carney said. “And I think that’s our view about the video that was produced in this country and has caused so much offense in the Muslim world.”

The press secretary also said that “No matter how offensive something like this is, it is not in any way justification for violence.”