White House highlights comprehensive government action in Maui fires amidst questions about Biden’s beach vacation.
The White House Defends President Biden’s Beach Vacation Amidst Maui Fire Fallout
The White House found itself facing criticism on Monday as President Joe Biden spent a weekend at the beach while a devastating fire wreaked havoc on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was questioned about the president’s decision to vacation in Delaware while the death toll approached 100 and search and rescue efforts continued.
REPORTER: “How does the White House respond to critics who have suggested that the president should not have been vacationing at the beach?
KARINE JEAN-PIERRE: “He has mobilized a whole of government approach here…The president has also committed to being there…for as long… pic.twitter.com/SfM3DFfCb4
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) August 14, 2023
Jean-Pierre defended Biden’s actions, emphasizing his deep concern for the people of Maui and the mobilization of federal agencies to provide aid. She stated that Biden had committed to supporting the government of Hawaii and the people of Maui for as long as necessary.
However, it was revealed that Biden’s commitment did not include an immediate visit to Hawaii, as he had other official engagements, including spending several days in Lake Tahoe later in the week. When asked about a potential visit, Jean-Pierre had no announcement to make, and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell explained that the focus was on assisting the community in identifying missing individuals.
This is not the first time the White House has faced criticism for Biden’s absence during a crisis. In the aftermath of a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, Biden received flak for not visiting the site. The White House had previously claimed that Biden planned to visit, but to date, no visit has occurred.
The cause of the Maui fire is under investigation, and Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez is leading a review of the emergency response. Recovery efforts are ongoing, but some residents have expressed frustration with the government’s response. Despite approving a disaster declaration to unlock federal resources, the government has been criticized for not doing enough.
President Biden faced negative press when he responded with “no comment” to questions about the rising death toll in Maui while he was at the beach in Delaware. In an attempt to address the criticism, Biden posted a breakdown of the government’s response to the disaster, expressing condolences and promising full support for the affected residents.
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