Johnson Apologizes Over Behavior Says Report
In a surprising turn of events, it has been revealed that House Speaker Mike Johnson apologized to President Joe Biden in March for the "eye-roll memes that went around the world." According to sources, Johnson approached Biden during the annual Friends of Ireland luncheon to express his regrets for the viral social media content.
The incident occurred after President Biden’s first State of the Union address on March 3rd, 2021. Biden was giving his speech to a socially distanced and mask-wearing audience due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. His remarks were also being broadcast to millions of viewers around the world.
During the address, Biden mentioned his plans to revitalize the economy and challenged Congress to pass legislation to address systemic racism. However, as the President spoke, many viewers and audience members caught Speaker Johnson rolling his eyes in response to Biden’s comments. The moment was quickly captured and shared on various social media platforms, leading to viral memes and backlash against the Speaker.
According to RealClearPolitics, Johnson pulled Biden aside at the Friends of Ireland luncheon to personally apologize for the incident. The two laughed about the situation, with Biden jokingly thanking Johnson for not ripping up his speech, referencing Speaker Pelosi’s actions during a previous Trump State of the Union address.
Pelosi’s move to rip up President Trump’s speech at the conclusion of his last State of the Union address in February 2020 caused a stir among both Democrats and Republicans. Some praised her for standing up against Trump’s divisive rhetoric, while others criticized her for disrespecting the President and his supporters.
One source close to Pelosi told CNN at the time that the move wasn’t planned and was sparked by Pelosi’s anger at Trump’s address. "When you take into account the abundance of contempt Trump has shown Pelosi, not just during his State of the Union, but over the course of his entire presidency, ripping his speech into pieces honestly feels like an understated reaction," Liz Plank wrote for NBC News.
However, the Speaker’s actions were celebrated by many Democrats. Congressman Hakeem Jeffries said, "as far as I’m concerned, the shredder wasn’t available, and so she did what she needed to do." Meanwhile, Senator Mazie Hirono told CBS News that it was understandable for Pelosi to react in such a way after being subjected to Trump’s lies and disrespectful behavior.
The reactions from fellow Democrats were not surprising, considering the tensions between President Trump and Speaker Pelosi during his presidency. The two had a contentious relationship, with Trump often attacking Pelosi and her policies on social media and in public appearances.
However, Pelosi’s actions were not without criticism. Some Republican lawmakers and supporters condemned her for violating the formality of the State of the Union address. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called it "unbecoming of a speaker to do what she did," while the White House labeled it "classless."
With tensions already high in Washington D.C. following the contentious 2020 presidential election, Pelosi’s action further divided the already polarized political climate. Now, with Johnson’s apology to President Biden, it seems that both sides are attempting to move past the incident and focus on more pressing issues facing the nation.
As the nation continues to grapple with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout, it is crucial for political leaders to set their differences aside and work towards finding common ground for the betterment of the country. President Biden’s call for unity and his efforts to reach across the aisle have been met with mixed reactions, but it appears that some leaders are willing to put aside their political biases for the greater good. Only time will tell if this gesture of reconciliation will lead to a more cooperative and productive political environment in Washington D.C.