What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
June 19, 2024 Recap
President Biden has had a very busy schedule over the past two weeks. This included a visit to France for the 80th commemoration of D-Day, a quick trip back to Washington, followed by another week in Italy for the G7 summit. He then spent the weekend at campaign events in Los Angeles before hosting an event at The White House to celebrate the 12th anniversary of DACA. Last night, the President and First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, boarded Air Force One to their home in Rehoboth Beach, DE. No public events have been scheduled aside from receiving the daily briefing. He will be departing from Delaware tomorrow morning for Camp David.
The White House canceled a high-level U.S.-Israel meeting on Iran scheduled for Thursday after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video accusing the U.S. of withholding military aid. The video, released on Tuesday, claimed that the U.S. had been withholding weapons and ammunition from Israel, a statement that enraged President Biden's top advisers. U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein delivered a personal message to Netanyahu expressing the administration's anger just hours after the video was published. Following this, the White House canceled the meeting to convey the consequences of Netanyahu's accusations. Some Israeli officials were already en route to Washington when the cancellation was announced.
In the video, Netanyahu declared it "inconceivable" that the administration had been withholding military support to Israel. Publicly, the White House expressed bafflement, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre noting that only one weapons shipment had been paused since the conflict began. In contrast, billions of dollars of weapons had continued to flow. Privately, Biden's team was shocked and angered by Netanyahu's ingratitude. During a pre-scheduled meeting in Israel, Hochstein informed Netanyahu that the accusations were both inaccurate and inappropriate. Consequently, Biden's advisers decided to cancel the strategic dialogue on Iran, which was supposed to include extensive meetings between U.S. and Israeli officials from various departments.
Despite the cancellation, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan will still meet his Israeli counterpart, Tzachi Hanegbi, who had already left for the U.S. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who is also scheduled to visit early next week. The relationship between Biden and Netanyahu's teams is now more strained than at any point since the Gaza conflict began in October. This incident follows a similar cancellation in March when Netanyahu pulled out of a meeting after the U.S. declined to veto a UN Security Council resolution referencing a ceasefire in Gaza.
Source: Axios
President Biden issued a statement on the passing of Willie Mays, expressing personal admiration and national recognition of Mays' impact. Biden reminisced about emulating Mays' iconic style in Little League and acknowledged his unmatched talent.
Willie Mays' extraordinary career included 660 home runs, 3,293 hits, a .301 batting average, 12 Gold Gloves, and a World Series Championship in 1954. Biden highlighted Mays' pioneering role in integrating Major League Baseball during the Jim Crow era and his inspirational influence across racial lines.
As Mays passed away on the eve of Juneteenth, Biden reflected on Mays' legacy as part of the broader journey of Black Americans toward equality and justice. He extended condolences to Mays' family and fans, honoring Mays' lasting legacy.
Thankful to have a President who appreciates history and heroes like Willie Mays, and acknowledges the times he lived through. Willie Mays, ‘The Say Hey Kid’
The President has way more patience with Netanyahu than I would.