President Joe Biden declined to answer a question on Afghanistan during a trip to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) headquarters as Hurricane Ida slammed into the Louisiana coast.
During the visit to (FEMA) on Sunday, Biden said, “I’m not supposed to take any questions but go ahead.”
“Mr. President, on Afghanistan,” a reporter began.
The president interjected, “I’m not going to answer Afghanistan now.”
Biden then walked away from the podium.
Watch the video below:
BIDEN AT FEMA:
— Forbes (@Forbes) August 29, 2021
President Biden: "I'm not supposed to take any questions but go ahead."
Reporter: "Mr. President, on Afghanistan –"
President Biden: "I'm not going to answer Afghanistan now." pic.twitter.com/lHHnPcIafN
Biden’s visit to FEMA came shortly after he attended the dignified transfer of 13 U.S. service members who died in the suicide bombing in Kabul, Afghanistan on Thursday, and as Ida made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane.
At the same time, the U.S. is just two days away from Biden’s Aug. 31 deadline to complete its withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Biden has previously refused to answer questions from reporters about Afghanistan.
After remarks on Monday, he did not answer when reporters asked how many Americans were left in Afghanistan. Also, on Tuesday, he declined to answer questions after remarks on Afghanistan.
However, he responded to a shouted question on Wednesday about what he would do if Americans were still in Afghanistan after the withdrawal deadline.
“You’ll be the first person I call,” he said jokingly.
The president did answer questions on Thursday after the attack in Kabul left 13 U.S. service members dead as well as scores of Afghan civilians.
Biden’s refusal to answer questions about Afghanistan has drawn criticism from Republicans.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) blasted the president as he said, “President Biden made the decision not to shift the Aug. 31 deadline to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, even though some of our strongest allies – France and Britain and Germany requested it.”
“The most embarrassing part though, was that he refused to take questions, and he turned his back and walked away — an image that has come to define him and his presidency,” he added.
