A hush and a seemingly dismissive smile were the only responses from President Joe Biden when a reporter endeavored to bring up a critical question during a White House photo opportunity.
On Friday, in the customary photo session featuring President Biden and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, a journalist’s audible query about a deceased underage migrant went unaddressed.
During the opening moments of the video footage of the photo op, shared on social media, the reporter’s question about the tragic demise of an illegal immigrant minor was clearly audible. However, Biden did not respond.
Following brief remarks from the two leaders, President Biden, with a note card in hand, expressed his gratitude towards Spain for their continued support for Ukraine, their recent defense cooperation agreement, and their collaborative efforts addressing migration challenges in the Western Hemisphere.
Following Biden’s comments, Prime Minister Sanchez spoke about Spain’s support for Ukraine, economic affairs, and climate change initiatives. He praised President Biden’s commitment to addressing critical global issues, assuring him of Spain’s continued support.
As the media session ended and journalists were ushered out, an array of unanswered questions echoed in the room. Amid this flurry, Biden offered little more than a seemingly nonchalant smirk.
ABC reported that 17-year-old Ángel Eduardo Maradiaga Espinoza from Honduras passed away in a shelter located in Safety Harbor, Florida. “The unaccompanied minor was referred to HHS care and placed at the Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services,” said a statement from the Department of Health and Human Services.
CBS also reported a similar incident involving a 4-year-old Honduran child who lost her life while in HHS custody in Michigan, back in March.
Ironically, Biden, during his presidential campaign, criticized his predecessor for similar incidents involving the deaths of underage illegal immigrants. In 2019, he stated that six children’s tragic deaths in U.S. custody at the border were “unacceptable” and not representative of American values.
Biden’s recent silence and apparent smirk when faced with a similar situation seem to contradict his earlier sentiments. The question remains, when will the President break his silence and address these critical issues affecting the most vulnerable?
