White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre clarified on Tuesday that President Joe Biden did not misspeak when he referred to House Speaker Mike Johnson as 'dead on arrival' during a press briefing in Austin, Texas.
During the briefing, Biden was asked about Johnson's comments regarding the president's Supreme Court reform proposal being 'dead on arrival' in the Republican-controlled House. Biden responded by stating, 'I think that's what he is … dead on arrival.'
However, Biden later softened his tone while addressing the proposal at the LBJ Presidential Library. He explained, 'As the press shouted to me as I got off Air Force One, the Republican speaker of the House said, 'Whatever he proposes is dead on arrival.' Well, I think his thinking is dead on arrival.'
Jean-Pierre emphasized during the press briefing that Biden's initial statement was intentional and not a mistake. She stated, 'He just wanted to be really clear what he meant by 'dead on arrival.' You've been there, you know how it happens, it goes back-and-forth … but that was always his intent when he answered that question.'
The exchange highlights the ongoing political discourse surrounding Biden's proposed reforms and the differing perspectives within the government. Despite the initial strong language used by Biden, his subsequent clarification aimed to convey a more nuanced viewpoint on the matter.
