President Joe Biden was caught on a hot mic recounting to a Democrat lawmaker that he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that they would need to have a “come to Jesus” meeting soon.
The hot mic moment came as Biden spoke to Sen. Michael Bennet on the floor of the House chamber after delivering the State of the Union address.
Bennet had congratulated Biden on the speech and pressed him to keep pressuring Israel to take a more humanitarian approach in their war.
“I told him, Bibi, and don’t repeat this, but you and I are going to have a come to Jesus meeting,” Biden told Bennet. 🇮🇱🇺🇸HOT MIC: BIDEN TOLD NETANYAHU IT'S TIME TO COME TO JESUS
BIDEN: "I told him, Bibi — don't repeat this — you and I are going to have a Come to Jesus meeting."
HANDLER: "Sir, you're on a hot mic."
Source: C-SPAN pic.twitter.com/hLCddhkwbI
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 8, 2024
At this point, an aid pointed out that Biden's microphone was still on.
“I’m on a hot mic here,” Biden said. “Good. That’s good.”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg were also there for the exchange.
Biden had spent a considerable amount of time during his speech focused on Israel's war.
“This war has taken a greater toll on innocent civilians than all previous wars in Gaza combined,” Biden said.
The president also explained that the U.S. military will begin establishing a port in Gaza so that supplies could be sent without having to obtain permission from Israel.
“A temporary pier would enable a massive increase in the amount of humanitarian assistance getting into Gaza every day,” Biden said during the address. “And Israel must also do its part. Israel must allow more aid into Gaza and ensure that humanitarian workers aren’t caught in the cross fire.”
Vice President Kamala Harris was asked about the comment and confirmed that Biden said what he meant. In a hot mic moment after the #SOTU, Pres. Biden told lawmakers that he will need to have a "come to Jesus meeting" with PM Netanyahu about the ongoing war in Gaza.
VP Harris emphasizes "our readiness to stand with Israel's right to defend itself, but how it does so matters." pic.twitter.com/cZjSMPQ6bA
— ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) March 8, 2024
Harris said that the United States will "stand with Israel's right to defend itself, but how it does so matters — and far too many Palestinians have been killed."
