The book said Biden was silenced by criticism from the families of soldiers killed in Kabul. “Teacher, are you still here?” | Book
Joe Biden spent too much time talking about the death of his own son Beau as the family of a US service member killed in Kabul in August 2021 said the body was returned and the president met with grieving relatives. He was stunned into silence when he was told that he had spent . .
“I paused until the president responded,” then-White House press secretary Jen Psaki writes in a new book.
“The silence that followed was a little too long. For a moment I was worried that I had lost the connection.
“'Sir, are you still here?' I asked.”
psaki left He will take up the White House in 2022 and join MSNBC. her book, More: Lessons from work, the White House, and the world, which opens in the US next week. The Guardian has obtained a copy.
biden ordered After nearly 20 years of war, the United States withdrew from Afghanistan in April 2021. On August 26, 13 American servicemen and 170 Afghans were evacuated amid chaos in Kabul. killed When a suicide bomber attacks the airport gate.
On August 29th, the American's body was discovered. Arrived at Dover Air Force Base in Biden's hometown of Delaware. The president and first lady Jill Biden were also in attendance.
“Of all the presidential duties, this one ranks high on the list of the most heartbreaking,” Psaki wrote. For President Biden in particular, it stoked his own sense of despair over the death of his son Joseph Biden III, also known as Beau. ”
Former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden went to Iraq with the National Guard.he died In 2015, at just 46 years old, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Mr. Biden asked a question whether “burn pitActivities on US military bases in Iraq may have caused son's cancer defend Legislation to help affected veterans. In his book, Psaki cites a World Health Organization study that says emissions from combustion pits contain substances “known to be carcinogenic to humans.” There is.
Psaki also noted how Biden endured the death of his first wife, Neilia Biden, and their 1-year-old daughter, Naomi, in a 1972 car crash that seriously injured Beau and his brother Hunter. ing. Psaki writes, “Presidents often refer to these unique, foreign, but still excruciating experiences of grief and loss as a way to connect with others.”
But Biden's visit to grieving families in Dover sparked significant controversy and political attacks.
Psaki explains this claim and dismisses it as “misinformation.” right wing media, Biden reportedly looked at his watch as the body was being removed.Citing media fact checks, former press secretary says picture It shows Biden did so only after the body left the airport tarmac.
Complaints that Biden talked too much about his son became more difficult to address, especially when the New York Times “swooped in” on the subject, Psaki wrote.
Psaki called him because it was part of her job to warn Biden about “unflattering” and “negative” stories, but “Beau was the focus of the negative stories.” This case was tougher than usual, because “it rarely, if ever, happened.”
“It was one thing for the media to say they were going to criticize the president's handling of the coronavirus. It was quite another thing to say the media was going to criticize the president for the way he talked about his son who tragically died at a young age,” Psaki said. is writing.
Still, she wrote that Jill Biden had previously told her: And please always be honest. Always tell me what's going to happen. ”
Psaki called Biden and warned him about the Times article. The content was that Mr. Biden “repeatedly mentioned Mr. Beau's death while meeting with the families of fallen soldiers.” Afghanistan Last week'' and “Cite numerous family members making critical comments''.
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Psaki said that when the president finally answered her, he “did so in a gentler voice than usual.”
“I thought I was helping them. It always helps to hear how others have experienced loss,” Biden said.
Psaki said Biden stopped again and said, “Thank you for talking to me. Anything else?”
The Times article is correct Appeared – as did others nice.
Mark Schmitz, one of the bereaved fathers, told the Times that he showed the president a photo of his son, Corporal Jared Schmitz, then 20, and told him, “Don't forget his name.”
“But Mr. Schmitz was confused about what happened next,” the Times said. I have written. “The president turned the conversation to his oldest son, Beau, who died of brain cancer in 2015…It was excruciating for Mr. Schmitz, another grieving father.”
Schmitz: “I respect people who have lost someone.'' Said“But it wasn't the right time.”
Psaki also explains how she personally handled the controversy.
She said this in the White House briefing room. told reporters: “meanwhile [Biden’s] My son did not directly lose his life in battle, so [those killed in Kabul did] – Or directly at the hands of terrorists, as these families were… There is nothing you can say or tell them that will ease their pain and alleviate what their families are going through. He knows this firsthand. ”
Psaki also said that Biden was “deeply influenced by the families he met.”[ing] often talk about them in meetings, [the] The incredible service and sacrifice of their sons and daughters. That doesn't change their suffering, but I still wanted to convey that. ”
Summarize this content to 100 words Joe Biden spent too much time talking about the death of his own son Beau as the family of a US service member killed in Kabul in August 2021 said the body was returned and the president met with grieving relatives. He was stunned into silence when he was told that he had spent . .”I paused until the president responded,” then-White House press secretary Jen Psaki writes in a new book.“The silence that followed was a little too long. For a moment I was worried that I had lost the connection.”'Sir, are you still here?' I asked.”psaki left He will take up the White House in 2022 and join MSNBC. her book, More: Lessons from work, the White House, and the world, which opens in the US next week. The Guardian has obtained a copy.biden ordered After nearly 20 years of war, the United States withdrew from Afghanistan in April 2021. On August 26, 13 American servicemen and 170 Afghans were evacuated amid chaos in Kabul. killed When a suicide bomber attacks the airport gate.On August 29th, the American's body was discovered. Arrived at Dover Air Force Base in Biden's hometown of Delaware. The president and first lady Jill Biden were also in attendance.”Of all the presidential duties, this one ranks high on the list of the most heartbreaking,” Psaki wrote. For President Biden in particular, it stoked his own sense of despair over the death of his son Joseph Biden III, also known as Beau. ”Former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden went to Iraq with the National Guard.he died In 2015, at just 46 years old, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.Mr. Biden asked a question whether “burn pitActivities on US military bases in Iraq may have caused son's cancer defend Legislation to help affected veterans. In his book, Psaki cites a World Health Organization study that says emissions from combustion pits contain substances “known to be carcinogenic to humans.” There is.Psaki also noted how Biden endured the death of his first wife, Neilia Biden, and their 1-year-old daughter, Naomi, in a 1972 car crash that seriously injured Beau and his brother Hunter. ing. Psaki writes, “Presidents often refer to these unique, foreign, but still excruciating experiences of grief and loss as a way to connect with others.”But Biden's visit to grieving families in Dover sparked significant controversy and political attacks.Psaki explains this claim and dismisses it as “misinformation.” right wing media, Biden reportedly looked at his watch as the body was being removed.Citing media fact checks, former press secretary says picture It shows Biden did so only after the body left the airport tarmac.Complaints that Biden talked too much about his son became more difficult to address, especially when the New York Times “swooped in” on the subject, Psaki wrote.Psaki called him because it was part of her job to warn Biden about “unflattering” and “negative” stories, but “Beau was the focus of the negative stories.” This case was tougher than usual, because “it rarely, if ever, happened.””It was one thing for the media to say they were going to criticize the president's handling of the coronavirus. It was quite another thing to say the media was going to criticize the president for the way he talked about his son who tragically died at a young age,” Psaki said. is writing.Still, she wrote that Jill Biden had previously told her: And please always be honest. Always tell me what's going to happen. ”Psaki called Biden and warned him about the Times article. The content was that Mr. Biden “repeatedly mentioned Mr. Beau's death while meeting with the families of fallen soldiers.” Afghanistan Last week'' and “Cite numerous family members making critical comments''.Skip past newsletter promotionsGet the most important US headlines and highlights sent straight to your email every morningPrivacy Notice: Newsletters may include information about charities, online advertising, and content funded by external organizations. For more information, see privacy policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google. privacy policy and terms of service Apply.After newsletter promotionPsaki said that when the president finally answered her, he “did so in a gentler voice than usual.””I thought I was helping them. It always helps to hear how others have experienced loss,” Biden said.Psaki said Biden stopped again and said, “Thank you for talking to me. Anything else?”The Times article is correct Appeared – as did others nice.Mark Schmitz, one of the bereaved fathers, told the Times that he showed the president a photo of his son, Corporal Jared Schmitz, then 20, and told him, “Don't forget his name.””But Mr. Schmitz was confused about what happened next,” the Times said. I have written. “The president turned the conversation to his oldest son, Beau, who died of brain cancer in 2015…It was excruciating for Mr. Schmitz, another grieving father.”Schmitz: “I respect people who have lost someone.'' Said”But it wasn't the right time.”Psaki also explains how she personally handled the controversy.She said this in the White House briefing room. told reporters: “meanwhile [Biden’s] My son did not directly lose his life in battle, so [those killed in Kabul did] – Or directly at the hands of terrorists, as these families were… There is nothing you can say or tell them that will ease their pain and alleviate what their families are going through. He knows this firsthand. ”Psaki also said that Biden was “deeply influenced by the families he met.”[ing] often talk about them in meetings, [the] The incredible service and sacrifice of their sons and daughters. That doesn't change their suffering, but I still wanted to convey that. ”
https://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/may/03/jen-psaki-new-book-biden The book said Biden was silenced by criticism from the families of soldiers killed in Kabul. “Teacher, are you still here?” | Book
