January 1, Report: Biden Frustrated with WH Staff

President Joe Biden is growing frustrated with White House staffers for their “rush to explain” something he previously said.

On Tuesday, NBC News published a report: “The so-called clean-up campaign, he has told advisers, undermines him and smothers the authenticity that fueled his rise. Worse, it feeds a Republican talking point that he’s not fully in command.”

The issue reportedly “came to a head” when Biden added a line to a speech in Poland that Russian President Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power.” White House officials quickly walked back his comment, saying that Biden hadn’t called for Putin’s removal and his remark didn’t reflect a change in U.S. policy.

“Biden was furious that his remarks were being seen as unreliable, arguing that he speaks genuinely and reminding his staff that he’s the one who is president,” the report read.

However, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates released a statement denying the accuracy of NBC’s report, saying that “no clarifications of the President’s remarks are ever issued without his direct approval.”

Source:

Biden frustrated with aides for walking back his statements, worries he looks weak: report