In a daring display of journalistic integrity, New York Post’s Steven Nelson confronts Biden administration officials on the topic of Biden family corruption and White House press restrictions during Wednesday’s press briefing. The explosive exchange highlights the importance of reporters who are unafraid to ask vital questions and demand accountability from the highest levels of government, despite the evasive responses from the administration.
Nelson tackled the issue of Biden family corruption by referencing a recent Harvard/Harris poll, which found that 53% of the public believe Joe Biden was involved in an illegal influence-peddling scheme with his son. Despite being asked to address the majority of Americans who perceive the president as corrupt, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby dismissively deflected, stating that Biden had previously spoken on the matter and that there’s “nothing to these claims.”
The New York Post reporter then challenged White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on the continued practice of pre-screening reporters for large indoor events, which limits access for journalists. Nelson cited a letter previously signed by 73 journalists expressing their disapproval of the screening process. Jean-Pierre sidestepped the query, claiming that “every event is different” and that they always credential as many reporters as possible.
The briefing also saw CBS’s Nancy Cordes and Time’s Brian Bennett question Kirby about Tara Reade, who had recently sought citizenship in Russia. They suggested that perhaps her allegations against Biden were somehow influenced by Russia, though no substantial evidence was provided.
Additionally, Newsmax’s James Rosen inquired why the administration has not labeled China and Russia as “evil” regimes. Kirby dismissively brushed off the question by stating that it’s not a “simple question” and that President Biden “doesn’t conduct foreign policy that way.”
As the exchange between Nelson and the administration officials made clear, it’s more important than ever for journalists to hold the powerful accountable and demand transparency. Only by asking difficult questions can we cut through the fog of misinformation and obfuscation to better understand the actions of our leaders.
