White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre insists President Joe Biden’s seemingly abrupt exit from a Medal of Honor ceremony went exactly as planned.
During a press briefing Wednesday, Jean-Pierre said, “[Biden] left as it was planned when there was a pause in the program in order to minimize his close contact with attendees who were about to participate in a reception.”
“You all noticed that he left when there was a pause in the program because again he wanted to minimize his impact on folks who were there,” she added.
Watch the video below:
Karine Jean-Pierre says it "was planned" for Biden to abruptly leave yesterday's Medal of Honor ceremony before it was over:
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) September 6, 2023
"He left when there was a pause in the program in order to minimize his close contact with attendees" pic.twitter.com/4FWaAcKLGA
A reporter asked the press secretary if it was a “mistake” for Biden to remove his face mask during the event and decline to put it back on.
“The president took off his mask, as I said he would, to deliver incredibly powerful remarks,” Jean-Pierre responded.
She noted the president continued to keep his mask off after his remarks in honor of retired Army Capt. Larry Taylor.
Karine Jean-Pierre: "The president took off his mask, as I said he would, to deliver incredibly powerful remarks" pic.twitter.com/96C2ec14tn
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) September 6, 2023
Video from the ceremony for Taylor on Tuesday showed Biden seemingly abruptly leaving the event — without wearing a face mask — before it had concluded, which drew criticism.
In case you missed it:
Biden abruptly walks out of the Medal of Honor ceremony, even before the closing benediction pic.twitter.com/Ck0i8EIf8Q
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) September 5, 2023
Before the ceremony, Jean-Pierre said Biden would wear a mask indoors after First Lady Jill Biden tested positive for COVID-19.
Jean-Pierre stated the president had tested negative and was not experiencing symptoms of the virus.
