During Thursday’s press briefing with White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, reporters grilled her about Joe Biden refusing to answer questions from reporters during press conferences.

As the briefing neared its end, one reporter spoke up about their concerns that Biden won’t be holding a two-and-two press conference with the Prime Minister of Ireland who is set to visit the White House on Friday.

“You laid out a very detailed schedule for the President tomorrow with the Prime Minister of Ireland, but it did not include a two-and-two press conference,” the reporter said. “Can you say why not and whether that might be added to the schedule tomorrow?”

“This is kind of becoming a pattern with a lot of the world leaders who are coming to the White House,” the reporter added.

Jean-Pierre replied, trying to justify this decision by saying that reporters will have an opportunity to ask Biden questions at the “pool spray,” where reporters are meant to get the opportunity to ask the president questions.

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“Karine, he never answers questions during those pool sprays,” the reporter said.

“That’s not true. He has – he’s answered questions,” Jean-Pierre said, trying to defend Biden.

This led to an uproar in the briefing room, with frustrated reporters saying, “That’s not true!” and others saying that they get “shoved out” and “yelled at.”

“The press is always shouted down when we’re in the Oval Office,” said another reporter.

“I hear you guys. I hear you guys,” Jean-Pierre said, laughing.

“Look, the two-plus-two is something that is done in coordination with the country that is visiting,” explained Jean-Pierre. “That is not something that is unilaterally decided. That is something that is in discussion with the other country.

“I was asked about the two-plus-two… I also was adding that there is an opportunity where press will be in the room with the two leaders. I cannot speak to if – who’s going to take questions or who’s not going to take questions.”

“As you know, this is a President that takes shouted questions often,” said Jean-Pierre, gaslighting the reporters and then leaving the briefing room.

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