Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough quickly rescinded the administration's memo banning the display of "VJ Day in Times Square" The memo states that the photograph " depicts a non-consensual act, " which is " inconsistent with VA's zero-tolerance policy toward sexual harassment and assault" The White House also responded to the controversy surrounding the memo, saying the memo was never approved. “ We were not aware ” of the plan to remove the emblematic image of the 20th century, said Joe Biden's spokesperson, Karine Jean-Pierre.