• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
Buttigieg’s ‘Press Person’ Declines to Answer Questions in Front of Cameras: ‘A Little Bit Aggressive’

Buttigieg’s ‘Press Person’ Declines to Answer Questions in Front of Cameras: ‘A Little Bit Aggressive’

February 23, 2023
Sen. Ruben Gallego Boasts About Using Filibuster To Block Trump Agenda After Campaigning To Abolish It

Sen. Ruben Gallego Boasts About Using Filibuster To Block Trump Agenda After Campaigning To Abolish It

May 10, 2025
REPS LISA MCCLAIN, JULIE FEDORCHAK And PATRICE ONWUKA: Women Know The Value Of Tax Cuts To Our Economy

REPS LISA MCCLAIN, JULIE FEDORCHAK And PATRICE ONWUKA: Women Know The Value Of Tax Cuts To Our Economy

May 10, 2025
Dem Senate Candidates Running In ‘Toss-Up’ States Co-Sponsor Bill To Eliminate Women’s Sports

Dem Senate Candidates Running In ‘Toss-Up’ States Co-Sponsor Bill To Eliminate Women’s Sports

May 10, 2025
‘Paying Far More Attention’: Rubio Turns His Gaze To America’s Backyard After Years Of Neglect From Washington

‘Paying Far More Attention’: Rubio Turns His Gaze To America’s Backyard After Years Of Neglect From Washington

May 10, 2025
‘Team That Refuses To Win’: Marjorie Taylor Greene Blasts GOP Elites While Passing On Georgia Senate Run

‘Team That Refuses To Win’: Marjorie Taylor Greene Blasts GOP Elites While Passing On Georgia Senate Run

May 10, 2025
Cops Without Citizenship: New Mexico Law Opens Police Force To Non-Citizens

Cops Without Citizenship: New Mexico Law Opens Police Force To Non-Citizens

May 10, 2025
DAVID BLACKMON: Chris Wright Has To Clean Up Joe Biden’s Mess

DAVID BLACKMON: Chris Wright Has To Clean Up Joe Biden’s Mess

May 10, 2025
JACK POSOBIEC: The Left’s Cognitive Dissonance Has Turned To Violence

JACK POSOBIEC: The Left’s Cognitive Dissonance Has Turned To Violence

May 10, 2025
Pollster Explains Why Democrats Choose To Double Down On What Already Blew Up In Their Faces

Pollster Explains Why Democrats Choose To Double Down On What Already Blew Up In Their Faces

May 9, 2025
Judge Allows CIA To Fire Official Who Played Role In Biden’s Military COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

Judge Allows CIA To Fire Official Who Played Role In Biden’s Military COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

May 9, 2025
If You Thought Kamala Uttered One Too Many Word Salads Then Watch Gavin Newsom Go On About Trade

If You Thought Kamala Uttered One Too Many Word Salads Then Watch Gavin Newsom Go On About Trade

May 9, 2025
‘Worst Of The Worst’: Trump Admin Official Details ‘Circus’ Surrounding Democrats’ Attempt To Enter ICE Facility

‘Worst Of The Worst’: Trump Admin Official Details ‘Circus’ Surrounding Democrats’ Attempt To Enter ICE Facility

May 9, 2025
  • Donald Trump
  • State of the Union
  • Elon Musk
  • Tariffs
  • Congress
  • Faith
  • Immigration
Sunday, May 11, 2025
  • Login
IJR
  • Politics
  • US News
  • Commentary
  • World News
  • Faith
  • Latest Polls
No Result
View All Result
IJR
No Result
View All Result
Home Commentary

Buttigieg’s ‘Press Person’ Declines to Answer Questions in Front of Cameras: ‘A Little Bit Aggressive’

by Bradley Cortright
February 23, 2023 at 11:47 am
in Commentary
250 2
0
Buttigieg’s ‘Press Person’ Declines to Answer Questions in Front of Cameras: ‘A Little Bit Aggressive’

(@sav_says_/Twitter screenshot)

491
SHARES
1.4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Amid questions about why it took nearly three weeks for Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to visit East Palestine, Ohio, his spokeswoman says she is willing to answer them — just not in front of cameras.

On Thursday, journalist Savannah Hernandez tried to ask Buttigieg about the response to the derailment. However, he did not respond.

Instead, a woman who identified herself as the secretary’s “press person” offered to answer questions as long as she was not on camera.

“I’m happy to have a conversation with you. I do not want to be on camera,” she said, adding, “I think that is a little bit aggressive.”

She declined to answer why she believes it is “aggressive” to be filmed.

Watch the video below:

I asked Sec. Buttigieg why it took him almost 3 weeks to come and speak to residents of East Palestine.

His press Secretary then told me I was aggressive for trying to ask questions on camera: pic.twitter.com/bOB52DIq0O

— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) February 23, 2023

The moment comes as Buttigieg was in the town following the Feb. 3 train derailment there.

While federal agencies have been working to address the incident, there have been allegations of a slow federal response and questions about whether top-level officials would visit the town.

No one wants to feel ambushed or cornered by people shoving cameras or phones in their faces to record them — potentially being put in a situation where their words can be taken out of context.

And there is no requirement that a spokesperson for a federal agency must answer every question on camera.

However, this encounter is another example of the response to the derailment sparking more questions. She did not say it was not a good time, or they would answer the questions during a separate event. Instead, the claim was that having cameras is “aggressive.”

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) shared the video and wrote, “Most transparent administration ever.”

Most transparent administration ever. https://t.co/CC5JRq5TSm

— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) February 23, 2023

Meanwhile, Megan McArdle, a columnist at The Washington Post, tweeted, “Rather than being a stepping stone to the presidency, Pete Buttigieg’s time as Secretary of Transportation is looking more and more like the millstone that will finally drown his ambitions to higher office.”

Rather than being a stepping stone to the presidency, Pete Buttigieg's time as Secretary of Transportation is looking more and more like the millstone that will finally drown his ambitions to higher office. https://t.co/lpEjtlDhDf

— Megan McArdle (@asymmetricinfo) February 23, 2023

Chuck Ross, an investigative reporter for The Washington Free Beacon, tweeted, “It’s not fair for journalists to ask Mayor Pete direct questions like this. He deserves at least a couple hours to workshop his answers.”

It’s not fair for journalists to ask Mayor Pete direct questions like this. He deserves at least a couple hours to workshop his answers https://t.co/7aNPvnmSBk

— Chuck Ross (@ChuckRossDC) February 23, 2023

This question should be expected. People have been asking when Buttigieg would visit the town. So it would seem they should have an answer ready to go without a hassle.

While asking reporters to turn their cameras off because they are “aggressive” is not proof of officials trying to hide something, it can certainly raise questions about the level of transparency.

Tags: OhioPete Buttigieg
Do you think she should have answered the question with cameras on?

Completing this poll entitles you to our news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Yes: 100% (11 Votes)
No: 0% (0 Votes)
Share196Tweet123
Bradley Cortright

Bradley Cortright

IJR, Senior Writer He's written for Independent Journal Review since 2019.

Advertisements

Top Stories June 10th
Top Stories June 7th
Top Stories June 6th
Top Stories June 3rd
Top Stories May 30th
Top Stories May 29th
Top Stories May 24th
Top Stories May 23rd
Top Stories May 21st
Top Stories May 17th

Join Over 6M Subscribers

We’re organizing an online community to elevate trusted voices on all sides so that you can be fully informed.





IJR

    Copyright © 2024 IJR

Trusted Voices On All Sides

  • About Us
  • GDPR Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Editorial Standards & Corrections Policy
  • Subscribe to IJR

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Politics
  • US News
  • Commentary
  • World News
  • Faith
  • Latest Polls

    Copyright © 2024 IJR

Top Stories June 10th Top Stories June 7th Top Stories June 6th Top Stories June 3rd Top Stories May 30th Top Stories May 29th Top Stories May 24th Top Stories May 23rd Top Stories May 21st Top Stories May 17th