In a baffling exchange with reporters, President Joe Biden claimed he “was commanding” when questioned about his absence from Washington during the hurricane disasters that ravaged parts of Florida and North Carolina. As residents continue to struggle in the wake of the massive storm, Biden’s response seemed detached and dismissive, especially given the urgency on the ground.
When asked directly by a reporter, “Why weren’t you and VP Harris here in Washington commanding this this weekend?” Biden simply replied, “I was commanding,” leaving many wondering what exactly he meant by this vague statement. According to the president, he spent “two hours on the phone” overseeing disaster relief, but for those on the ground, the response from the government has been slow and inadequate.
JUST IN: President Biden says he "was commanding" after a reporter asks what he is doing to help hurricane victims in the Southeast.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 30, 2024
Reporter: "On the hurricane, why weren't you and VP Harris here in Washington commanding this this weekend?"
Biden: "I was commanding."
Locals… pic. /OmHjqjqyLa
As of Sunday night, more than 760,000 homes and businesses in South Carolina alone were still without power, with over 1.2 million more customers across Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia left in the dark. The devastation stretched across 500 miles of land, and tragically, over 100 lives have been lost. Despite this, locals have been forced to take matters into their own hands, organizing relief efforts as the federal response shuffles along.
Biden’s vague assertions of being “in command” from afar don’t seem to match the reality on the ground, where communities are desperate for quicker action. In the wake of such a large-scale disaster, many are questioning the president’s hands-off approach, and whether two hours on the phone is enough when lives and livelihoods are at stake. The growing frustration from those directly impacted is only adding to the already simmering concerns over Biden’s leadership, as his response continues to feel out of touch with the gravity of the situation.
