Biden ‘Photo Op’ Disrupted Helene Relief, Grounded Aircrafts with Emergency Supplies: Rescue Mission Volunteer
In a recent statement, Tim Kennedy, a former U.S. Army Green Berets Master Sergeant and MMA fighter, criticized President Joe Biden’s response to Hurricane Helene, claiming the president’s actions during the crisis were obstructive. Kennedy, who has a history of aiding those in need, especially during emergencies like the Afghanistan withdrawal in 2021, highlighted that his team had to delay rescue efforts due to Biden’s visit, which he alleged was more focused on a “photo op” than on immediate assistance. During a mission to help victims of the hurricane, Kennedy and his organization, Save Our Allies, found themselves operating with little federal support. He expressed frustration over the lack of government leadership and infrastructure to adequately respond to such disasters. This sentiment was echoed by others, including Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, who lamented the administration’s inadequate response to the hurricane, which left a rising death toll in its wake.
Tim Kennedy had some pointed words to about President Joe Biden on Wednesday. Kennedy, a U.S. Army Green Berets Master Sergeant and Special Forces sniper, is known for his stints on various television shows, along with his MMA fighting career.
When devastation strikes, Kennedy has been known to rush in to use his unique experience to help those in need. The master sergeant previously traveled to Afghanistan during the 2021 withdrawal to help those caught up in the calamity, for example.
This past week, Kennedy and others rushed to the Southeast to help those affected by the historically devastating Hurricane Helene.
As was the case with Afghanistan, many have pointed blame at President Biden for failing to address the crisis effectively.
Kennedy is among that number.
In fact, according to the Special Forces operator, the president directly impeded rescue efforts to take a “photo op.”
“There was a ‘No Fly’ when the president flew in today,” Kennedy told Fox News’ “The Bottom Line” on Wednesday. “We had to land helicopters to not go rescue people so a photo op could take place.”
“That’s a travesty and that’s unconscionable.”
Kennedy traveled with Save Our Allies — an NGO Kennedy founded and serves as president of — into the Southeast to aid in rescue and evacuation efforts.
Kennedy said he, his team and others working together to save Americans in need have worked tirelessly with little help from federal government officials.
“My heart is full to see Americans rise to the occasion like they always do, but it’s not our responsibility to have to go and answer the call like this,” Kennedy said.
“Save Our Allies has so many important relationships within the government that enable us to do these expeditionary missions, and we’re so grateful for those partnerships… but it shouldn’t be necessary.”
Where is the federal response and the plan and the… command center that should be running all of this?”
President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris both visited areas in the Southeastern United States separately this past week, according to The Washington Post.
The outlet reported that Biden would “tour more storm damage in Georgia and Florida” after visiting the western mountains of North Carolina where “the [death] toll was especially high.”
On Saturday, CNN reported that the total death toll of Hurricane Helene had risen to 227 people across six affected states.
Kennedy isn’t the only one to criticize the current administration’s response to Helene.
On Friday, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said he was “alarmed and disappointed” by the federal effort, per the National Review.
“They are scrambling to cover their egregious errors and mistakes. And there’s an effort to blame others or blame circumstances when this is just purely a lack of leadership and response,” Johnson said.
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As a Canadian with many American friends, I find your governments legal and binding response to one of Americas worst disasters both disgusting and criminal. The bought and paid for media’s coverage also disgraceful.