Sen. Jim Risch asked a good question last week: who is it in the White House who has the authority to cut off President Joe Biden’s microphone? We bring it up because Biden held a joint press conference at the White House with U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and CBS News says reporters are going to file a complaint because U.S. reporters weren’t given an equal opportunity to ask questions before Biden’s handlers shoved everyone out of the room. Who decides when the president has answered enough questions?
CBS News’ Ed O’Keefe was acting as the press pooler:
IN THE OVAL OFFICE… @POTUS Biden and British PM @BorisJohnson meet to discuss pandemic, trade and other issues. Johnson took 3 questions. White House aides shouted down U.S. attempts to ask questions. I asked Biden about southern border and we couldn’t decipher what he said. pic.twitter.com/A86kgdfsuc
— Ed O'Keefe (@edokeefe) September 21, 2021
As Johnson finished his own answer to the 3rd question about his reluctance, senior White House aides began shouting, seemingly cutting off the PM. We were then escorted from the Oval Office.
— Ed O'Keefe (@edokeefe) September 21, 2021
As we were leaving, I asked the president for his reaction to the situation on the southern border. Due to shouting by White House aides, the noise of everyone leaving, and the president wearing his mask, we could not make out his answer.
— Ed O'Keefe (@edokeefe) September 21, 2021
Here’s CBS News’ report:
CBS News' @EdOkeefe reports that during Pres. Biden's bilateral meeting with British PM Boris Johnson, U.S. press questions about the southern border were shouted down by White House aides. The president's answer was undecipherable. pic.twitter.com/MeXVTcFEBX
— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 21, 2021
IN THE PRESIDENT'S OVAL OFFICE:
Boris Johnson recognized two British reporters for questions.
Joe Biden then signaled it was time for the press to leave, without taking any questions from his own press corps.
— Steven Portnoy (@stevenportnoy) September 21, 2021
MOMENTS AGO: Staff orders news media to leave The White House as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks mid-sentence pic.twitter.com/MXg2m0o1hq
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) September 21, 2021
White House staff sounds like a chorus of Charlie Brown’s teachers—but, instead of trombones, it’s malevolent harpies. https://t.co/f2fTn1Rboj
— David Reaboi, Late Republic Nonsense (@davereaboi) September 21, 2021
That’s embarrassing
— Sim: bags only! (@Sinbags) September 21, 2021
What the hell is going on? Anybody?
— Buzz Patterson (@BuzzPatterson) September 21, 2021
Nap time
— jay r (@jrusso84) September 21, 2021
— Fritoguy™️ (@Fritosandbolts) September 21, 2021
Because he was sleeping again
— SomeguyRay (@SomeGuyRay) September 21, 2021
Matlock was about to start or they saw him falling asleep. Only explanations.
— Brian (@BrianGottfried) September 21, 2021
What bizarre behavior, even for members of Biden's staff. Absolutely bizarre.
— HealthyHappyHolisticLiving (@H_H_H_Living) September 21, 2021
Utterly bizarre, rude and sick.
— Montgomery Granger (@mjgranger1) September 21, 2021
This is getting ridiculous.
— Stan Wearner II (@Ta_verenRaven) September 21, 2021
Bizarre
— tammy mcquilliams (@frostycake12) September 21, 2021
Overwhelming transparency
— Gizmo359 (@gizmo359) September 21, 2021
If it wasn’t a reflection of the competence level of every other institution in our country it would be funny.
— Arcadia Steppe (@ArcadiaSteppe) September 21, 2021
Not sketchy at all!
— Croditis♛🇬🇷 (@ChrisRoditis_) September 21, 2021
So unprofessional
— CashSmart (@CashSmartLLC) September 21, 2021
What the hell is going on. This is why I’m checked out from the news
— J-Bone (@firemanjbone) September 21, 2021
— michael johnson (@ungawamike) September 21, 2021
That blank stare on @JoeBiden's face. Then it looks like he is signalling that he is ready for some pudding.
— Justin (@Justin4917) September 21, 2021
The drugs wore off.
— BornAgain Right (@BornAgainRight) September 21, 2021
Looks like Biden’s about to pass out. Or his meds are wearing off. 🤔
— young jun kwon (@kwontumphysic) September 21, 2021
What an absolute sh*t show. 🤦♂️
— HutchOfTheDead (@HutchOfTheDead) September 21, 2021
What are they hiding? He can only read. He can’t function off the cuff and speak coherently.
— joe (@joeboogie132) September 21, 2021
How blatantly disrespectful to a world leader. This is unreal.
— Kyle Engel (@KyleEngel18) September 21, 2021
The press shouldn't bother turning up anymore but then again this is the man they wanted in
— michael edwards (@medwards1074) September 21, 2021
This administration is fragile AF
— Ron Swanson (@BTCfreedom44) September 21, 2021
The consensus seems to be that Biden was falling asleep again. We’ll see what comes of that press complaint.
Related:
'How refreshing': Joe Biden's handlers act quickly to prevent double-masked POTUS from answering press questions on border crisis https://t.co/L2Sn8gla5W
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) March 10, 2021
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