Biden Spox Kirby Loses It on Reporter at Briefing in Stunning Exchange over Bombings in Middle East

HALKETT: “You said that the president, in his response, has authorization under Article Two. Does that mean that he’s planning to bypass Congress in any matter of war in terms of this response?”

KIRBY: “I’m not going to get ahead of his decision-making. He has the authority under Article — Article Two as commander-in-chief. And as we have in the past, so we will in the future, appropriately inform leaders in Congress about what we’re doing in — in keeping with that authority.”

HALKETT: “Okay. So, I just want to follow up, because the president was sent a letter on Friday from a bipartisan group of lawmakers, and he had been accused of unauthorized strikes against the Houthis. And by bypassing Congress, they said, ‘No president, regardless of political party, has the constitutional authority to bypass Congress on matters of war.’ Do you think that that would apply here given this escalation?”

KIRBY: “We’re not at war with the Houthis. We’re not going to be at — we’re not looking for a war with Iran. The President is comfortable that he has the appropriate legal authorities to act in self-defense of our ships, our sailors, and our troops and our facilities at sea or ashore.”

HALKETT: “Right, but isn’t it time to involve the American people? I mean, given the fact that the American people were not happy about — I mean, all —“

KIRBY: “This is what the American people are not happy about: attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. I also suspect they’re not happy about seeing American troops killed at a base in Jordan. The president has the authority to defend those troops and those facilities, and he’ll do that.”

HALKETT: “You said the president is weighing all of his options. This is an election year. Is the president looking at his polling when he’s weighing all of these options? Is the president looking at what —“

KIRBY: “I mean, my goodness. That’s a heck of a question. He’s not looking —“

HALKETT: “Not really.”

KIRBY: “Ma’am.”

HALKETT: “Not really.”

KIRBY: “Ma’am. Ma’am.”

HALKETT: “Is the —“

KIRBY: “Let me just stop you right there.”

HALKETT: “Let me finish my question.”

KIRBY: “The commander-in-chief is not looking at polling or considering the electoral calendar —“

HALKETT: “He’s not looking at —“

KIRBY: “ — when he’s defending —“

HALKETT: “— how they feel about the war on Gaza?”

KIRBY: “I’ll — now can I answer the question? He’s not looking at political calculations or the polling or the electoral calendar as he works to protect our troops ashore and our ships at sea. And any suggestion to the contrary is offensive.”

HALKETT: “Is he looking at the polling with respect to —“

KIRBY: “Ma’am.”

HALKETT: “— does the American public want a broader Middle East conflict when he weighs his political decision-making?”

KIRBY: “Ma’am, I’ve answered that question.”

Jean-Pierre: “Okay. Let’s go.”

HALKETT: “No, you didn’t answer that question. Is he weighing that?”

KIRBY: “He is not concerning himself with the political calendar.”

HALKETT: “Does the American public have the opportunity to weigh in on whether —“

KIRBY: “Ma’am, I —“

HALKETT: “ — they want ‘Made in America’ —“

KIRBY: “I have answered your —“

HALKETT: “ — stamped on the bombs —“

KIRBY: “Ma’am, I’ve answered your question.”

HALKETT: “— that are going to be dropped?”

Jean-Pierre: “We’re going to move on. Go ahead, Phil.”

KIRBY: “Thanks, Karine.”