One of the things President Joe Biden is well known for is his propensity for making gaffes.
During an event at the White House on Monday, Biden repeatedly mixed up the acronym for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
While announcing Steve Dettelbach’s nomination to lead the agency, the president said, “He served the Department of Justice for two decades.”
“He worked side by side to support the work of federal, state, and local law enforcement, including AFT agents,” he added.
The acronym for the agency is the ATF, not the AFT.
Watch the video below:
At an event about firearms, Biden confuses the ATF with the AFT pic.twitter.com/8BO9EqtmCu
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) April 11, 2022
But that was not the only time he used the wrong acronym.
It happened repeatedly.
“There’s only been one Senate who’s confirmed a director to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in the Bureau’s entire history,” Biden said.
He continued, “This is an agency whose mission is to protect communities from violent criminals, illegal trafficking of firearms, acts of arson and bombing, and a lot more. The mission of the agency isn’t controversial.”
“Today, to lead and support the dedicated men and women of the AFT, I’m proud to nominate Steve Dettelman … Dettelbach — excuse me, I mispronounced your name — as the director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives,” he added.
Finally, Biden said, “With what I know about him and why I’m so enthusiastic about supporting him, I’d like to introduce my nominee to lead the AFT to you.”
Watch the moment below:
This happened just over a year ago when Biden first nominated David Chipman to lead the agency.
On April 8, 2021, Biden announced Chipman’s nomination as he said, “Today, I am proud to nominate David Chipman to serve as the director of the AFT.”
“David knows the AFT well,” he added.
In case you missed it:
Joe Biden confuses gun control talking points again, repeatedly calls the ATF “the AFT”https://t.co/gW9OG1fA1Q pic.twitter.com/XV7YyCEkPb
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) April 8, 2021
Chipman’s nomination was withdrawn in September as he faced opposition from Republican senators, and it appeared that there might be some Democratic defections.
Perhaps on Monday, the sun impacted Biden’s ability to read the teleprompter since he wasn’t wearing his aviator sunglasses at the time. Or maybe he was thinking about the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) recently.
Either way, it is somewhat interesting that both times he announced his nominee to lead the agency that will play an important role in his administration’s effort to crack down on gun violence, he repeatedly mixed up the acronym.
The next time he speaks about the agency, perhaps he should avoid trying to use its acronym.
