The Supreme Court wasn’t all the president had seemingly set his sights on as one off-the-cuff remark left people warning House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).
Monday, President Joe Biden traveled to Austin, Texas to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act amid his latest offensive against the federal judiciary. As even corporate media slammed the “wishlist” as a non-starter, it was the Resident-in-Chief’s slight against “dead on arrival” Johnson that took focus as many heard it as nothing short of a threat.
“Speaker Johnson said it’s dead on arrival,” a reporter could be heard calling out to Biden for comment after he stepped off Air Force One earning the reply, “I think that’s what he is.”
Seeking clarity over the noise, the reporter followed up in video shared by Washington Post White House reporter Matt Viser, “That he is?”
“He is,” the president added bluntly a moment before walking away with a grin. “Dead on arrival.”
President Biden was just asked on the tarmac about Speaker Johnson calling his Supreme Court reform “dead on arrival.” “That’s what he is,” Biden said. Asked for clarification, a reporter shouted, “That he is?” Biden responded: “He is. Dead on arrival.” pic.twitter.com/kEOV2y21Yi
— Matt Viser (@mviser) July 29, 2024
In case it wasn’t bad enough that the incumbent’s remark was interpreted by many as a threat against the highest-ranking Republican official in the federal government, third in line to the presidency in the order of succession, the administration initially embraced the comment as a screenshot showing White House Senior Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates reposting the remark.
Andrew Bates is retweeting posts of his boss threatening the Speaker of the House. pic.twitter.com/tSIv5WXBew
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) July 29, 2024
Worth noting, little more than two weeks after the Republican presidential nominee had actually faced an assassination attempt, Biden’s list of sought-after reforms for the Supreme Court surfaced in reaction to the ruling in former President Donald Trump’s immunity case.
The dissent written by Justice Sonia Sotomayor included radical hypotheticals on what they believed a sitting president would be permitted to get away with that had leftists decrying non-existent dictatorial powers. Among the reactions that called out the president’s seeming threat against the congressional leader, one user noted, “Seems Biden is already flexing that immunity that the Supreme Court gave him.”
Seems Biden is already flexing that immunity that the Supreme Court gave him.
— Crazy Fenak (@CrazyFenaker) July 29, 2024
Sounds like a threat. Better beef up security for Speaker Johnson.
— Coach (@bingbob13) July 29, 2024
In normal times, this would warrant a follow-up asking the president what he meant. But we all know he has no idea.
— Alaskan Tequila (@LTequila4) July 29, 2024
Always that sinister ‘joker’ smile.
— Deplorable Chump ➕➕➕Baaa Honk ➕➕➕ (@baaahonk) July 29, 2024
I am just glad post-assassination attempt we are changing the discourse in our country
— Brian Harbach (@HarbachCFB) July 29, 2024
He doesn’t know what he’s saying or what he’s responding too.. bless his heart
— Scott B (@b955096681) July 29, 2024
Of course, as the backlash ensued over the lame duck president’s tough guy routine, it appeared that the White House was not totally unaware of how the statement sounded as, during his Civil Rights Act address, Biden attempted a clarification as he said, “Well I was thinking his thinking is dead on arrival.”
BIDEN: “The Republican speaker of the House says whatever he proposes is dead on arrival.”
*malfunctions — reboots brain*
“Well I was thinking his thinking is dead on arrival!” pic.twitter.com/jUozugl1oJ
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 29, 2024
Meanwhile, it appeared that Johnson may have gotten the last laugh Monday with his own reaction to the alleged tarmac threat. Sharing the video of Biden’s remark without comment, the speaker instead included a clip from the president’s disastrous debate performance against Trump when the GOP leader had arguably delivered the line of the night, “I really don’t know what he said at the end of that sentence. I don’t think he knows what he said either.”
Sometimes a video is worth 1,000 words, huh?
Well played, Speaker!
— Laurie (@laurieinri) July 29, 2024
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
- Rogan fired up that liberal policies are allowing monsters to eat our house pets - December 17, 2025
- Customer bullies Target employee over Charlie Kirk shirt, but it doesn’t go quite as planned - December 17, 2025
- Merrick Garland lied about Mar-a-Lago raid recently declassified emails show - December 17, 2025
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
BPR INSIDER COMMENTS
Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!
