Staff Reports
President Joe Biden made quite the spectacle on Monday, generating headlines for what many are interpreting as a veiled threat against House Speaker Mike Johnson’s life. While speaking to reporters on the tarmac, Biden was asked about his controversial Supreme Court “reforms,” to which he reportedly quipped that Johnson was “dead on arrival.” This bizarre comment raised eyebrows and left many questioning whether it was a mere slip of the tongue or something far more sinister.
The implications of Biden’s remark cannot be brushed off lightly. On one hand, it might be chalked up to his rapidly deteriorating mental faculties, a reality that has become increasingly obvious as he stumbles through his presidency. On the other hand, it could be taken at face value: an outright threat against a political opponent. Either scenario casts serious doubt on Biden’s fitness to remain in office, especially when leaders should embody decorum and respect, even (or especially) for their adversaries.
Q: What did Biden mean when he said @SpeakerJohnson is "dead on arrival"?
KARINE JEAN-PIERRE: "I would just refer you to the president himself."
Q: "So he misspoke?"
KARINE JEAN-PIERRE: "I don't think he misspoke." pic.twitter.com/oYiHbl9bcU
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 30, 2024
When pressed for clarification the following day, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre attempted to navigate the confusion with her usual finesse, or lack thereof. In her attempt to clarify Biden’s odd wording, she claimed that the president was referring to Johnson’s ideas rather than the man himself. This explanation is laughable, given the context of the statement. After all, the Speaker of the House is not just some random figure; he is the one holding the reins on legislation. The notion that Biden was merely implying his “thinking” was “dead on arrival” misses the larger point of respect among government officials.
President Biden was just asked on the tarmac about Speaker Johnson calling his Supreme Court reform “dead on arrival.” “That’s what he is,” Biden said. Asked for clarification, a reporter shouted, “That he is?” Biden responded: “He is. Dead on arrival.” pic.twitter.com/kEOV2y21Yi
— Matt Viser (@mviser) July 29, 2024
Interestingly, if Biden’s remark was indeed just a slip, then it only highlights his inability to communicate without assistance from a teleprompter. However, Jean-Pierre’s defense of her boss went into new territory, as she danced around the question of whether Biden had “misspoken.” She ultimately claimed that he did not, which, if taken at face value, could double as an admission that Biden did indeed intend to make a threatening remark. The backpedaling only served to alert people to the administration’s lack of sincerity, as they scramble to keep the spin cycle running.
It is quite amusing to imagine being in Jean-Pierre’s shoes. Her job seems to revolve around spinning the most outlandish comments from the president into something resembling coherent thought, all while maintaining a straight face. The absurdity of her position speaks volumes about the current state of leadership in Washington. The when-it-rains-it-pours mentality of the Biden administration often leaves no choice but to obfuscate, dodge, and weave—a dance that America has grown tired of.
There was once a time when leaders urged their supporters to “turn down the temperature” in discourse, a mantra that seems lost on Biden. If he is serious about fostering a political climate devoid of threats or hostility, he should start with himself. The American people deserve a leader who elevates the conversation, not one who dives headfirst into the murky depths of verbal attacks.
