First Lady Jill Biden made headlines after she introduced United States Vice President Kamala Harris as the president of the U.S. during a Black History Month celebration at the White House on Monday. She later said that she was joking.
During her introductory remarks, Jill Biden started out by saying the path of the vice president to get into the White House began with Harris' parents in the Civil Rights movement. The first lady said Harris has dedicated her life to pursuing justice and opportunity for all Americans. Biden called Harris a partner to her husband, United States President Joe Biden, particularly on issues such as voting rights.
"President" Kamala Harris
Afterward, Biden introduced Harris as the president of the United States but immediately corrected herself amid the audience's laughter and a shrug from her husband. The first lady then said that she only referred to Harris as the president to make the audience laugh.
Jill Biden introducing Kamala Harris:
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) February 28, 2022
“Ladies and gentlemen, the president… I mean the Vice President… I just said that to make you laugh.”
pic.twitter.com/EGCUHJqu5m
Similarly, Biden's husband has repeatedly referred to Harris as the president of the United States in his remarks. In December, during a commencement address at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, Joe spoke glowingly of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. He then touted that "President Harris" was a proud Howard University alum, as per Fox News.
The situation comes as Joe is the subject of criticism every time he confuses Harris as the president of the United States. Another instance was in January of this year during an appearance to commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr.
During his speech at the Atlanta University Center Consortium, Joe said that he and "President Harris" stood on the United States Capitol the week before. Another incident was in March 2021 when Joe celebrated Harris' COVID-19 response, saying the two of them took a virtual tour of a vaccination center in Arizona.
According to the Independent, Joe will be coming into his Tuesday State of the Union Address with 54% of Americans expressing concerns that he does not have the mental sharpness needed to effectively be the president of the United States.
Black History Month
During the Black History Month celebration, Joe called on Congress to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court and pass voting rights bills. In his remarks, the president acknowledged that the process can be slow and frustrating. But he noted that cooperation and faith can help progress things along.
The East Room was filled with roughly 150 people, including members of the Congressional Black Caucus, state and local elected officials, the Rev. Al Sharpton and the Rev. Jesse Jackson, and other community leaders. Black individuals in Joe's Cabinet and other administration officials stood on stage as the president called on them by name to thank them.
During the event, Joe said he was happy that the event was held in person and not virtually, a milestone amid the coronavirus pandemic. Harris said that the people at the celebration were gathered at a time when America's democratic principles have come under threat due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine using a full-scale military operation, GrayDC reported.
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