US President Joe Biden has raised concerns about potential unrest surrounding the upcoming during his first appearance in the White House briefing room since taking office, as reported by the New York Post. The 81-year-old president suggested that while he believes the election will be “free and fair,” he cannot guarantee it will be “peaceful.”
Biden’s comments came in response to a question from National Public Radio’s Tamara Keith about the political climate leading up to the election.“The things that [former President Donald] Trump has said and the things that he said last time out when he didn’t like the outcome of the election were very dangerous,” Biden said, emphasising his worries over the acceptance of election results. He added, “Have you noticed? I noticed that the vice presidential Republican candidate [Ohio Sen. JD Vance] did not say he’d accept the outcome of the election and hasn’t even accepted the outcome of the last election. So I’m concerned about what they’re going to do.”
The president’s appearance caught many off guard, as several seats in the briefing room were empty, and most of the reporters focused their questions on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Biden has recently increased his press appearances, marking a significant shift from his previous limited interaction with the media.
Biden faced backlash for his recent comments, including a slip regarding “Hurricane Helena” during discussions about Hurricane Helene. When a reporter asked if he was considering rejoining the presidential race, he jokingly responded, “I’m back in!” prompting laughter in the room.