Joe Biden to hold first full press conference NEXT THURSDAY, White House says

Joe Biden will hold his first presidential press conference next Thursday, the White House announced on Tuesday amid criticism about the amount of time it has taken the president to hold a formal question and answer session with the press.

‘President Biden will hold a formal press conference on the afternoon of Thursday, March 25th,’ White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement. 

Press conferences are ways for public officials to be held accountable for actions they are taking and policies they are implementing. 

That date is Biden’s 64th day in office, a record for a modern president in waiting to hold a press conference. The previous record was set by President George W. Bush, who waited 33 days before hosting one.

Most presidents – including Donald Trump and Barack Obama – hold a press conference in the first month of their administration. Trump held one on day 27 while Obama held one on day 20. 

Earlier this month Psaki defended Biden, saying he answers questions from reporters at events even though he hasn’t held a formal press conference.

‘Well, first as all of you know the president takes questions several times a week,’ Psaki answered. ‘He took questions actually twice yesterday, which is an opportunity for the people covering the White House to ask him about whatever news is happening on any given day.’ 

During what’s called a ‘spray,’ when reporters pop into a meeting with Biden for several minutes to take his photo and observe what he’s doing, he’s often answered a question or two. However the president also strains to hear what’s being asked over the calls from his aides telling journalists to leave the room. 

‘I’m sorry, can’t hear him,’ Biden said in early March during an event in the Oval Office as reporters shouted questions and aides asked the media to leave.  

Biden also has answered questions when he’s leaving the White House for trips and after he’s made various announcements. 

Psaki also pointed to the current crises the president is tackling – the coronavirus pandemic and the economic fallout. 

‘So I think the American people would certainly understand if his focus, his energy and his attention has been on ensuring we secure enough vaccines to vaccinate all Americans, which we will do by the end of May and then pushing for a rescue plan that will provide direct checks to almost 160 million Americans,’ the press secretary added. 

Asked if Biden was ‘too busy’ too hold a press conference, Psaki wouldn’t latch on to that phrasing.  

‘I think he’s answered questions, I believe the count is almost 40 times, so, and I would say his focus, again, is on getting recovery and relief to the American people,’ she answered. ‘And he looks forward to continuing to engage with all of you and to other members of the media who aren’t here today.’  

Psaki has held a briefing every weekday since the inauguration unless the president is traveling. 

Briefings, however, have been limited to a rotating cast of reporters, in order for the press corps to maintain social distancing protocols. 

President Donald Trump was known for holding rollicking press conferences where he would tussle with reporters. 

Biden has been more press shy. 

For months on the campaign trail, he’d ignore shouted questions. 

When he started doing Q&A during the end of the campaign and the transition, one of his aides would give him a list of reporters to choose from, often from friendlier or the mainstream broadcast outlets.