On Monday night, President Joe Biden claimed that the Secret Service no longer allows him to interact with crowds because it is “too dangerous.”
After returning from a campaign event in Pennsylvania with Vice President Kamala Harris, a reporter asked Biden how it felt to be back on the campaign trail. Biden responded, “Feels good, except I’m not able to go out into crowds anymore, the Secret Service doesn’t let me.”
When asked why, Biden explained, “They say it’s too dangerous. No one gets to go out.”
The Secret Service has reportedly increased its protective measures following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in July.
Throughout his presidency, Biden has frequently mentioned needing permission from his aides for even basic actions, such as taking questions, leading some to speculate about who is really in control of the administration.
In March, Biden remarked during a meeting, “I have a lot of questions. I better not start the questions. I’ll get in trouble.” He has made similar comments on multiple occasions, including at the G-7 summit, where he asked a staffer, “Can I take a couple of questions?” and received a cautious response. In May 2021, Biden told reporters, “You guys are bad. I’m not supposed to be answering all these questions. I’m supposed to leave, but I can’t resist your questions.”
Over the summer, it was revealed that White House staff took significant steps to shield Biden from criticism about his age and mental fitness.
In July, Biden announced that he would not seek a second term and endorsed Harris as the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee after a challenging debate performance against former President Trump. Monday’s event in Pittsburgh marked the first time Biden appeared on the campaign trail alongside Harris since she officially became the Democratic Party’s nominee.