WATCH: Joe Biden reveals who is not 'letting him' engage with crowds amid scrutiny over his health
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA: President Joe Biden revealed on Monday, September 2, that his Secret Service protective detail does not allow him to get up, close and personal with audiences at events, despite having the authority to overrule their advice.
The Secret Service has stepped up its protective measures after the near-assassination of former President Donald Trump on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania, per the New York Post.
BIDEN: "I'm not able to go out in the crowds anymore. The Secret Service doesn't let me."
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) September 3, 2024
REPORTER: "Why not?"
BIDEN (who has a proclivity for tripping): "They say it's too dangerous." pic.twitter.com/JeKKE7r6wu
Joe Biden reveals Secret Service is not 'letting him' engage with crowds
Biden told a reporter who asked how it felt to be on the stump again, "Feels good. Except I’m not able to go out into crowds anymore, the Secret Service doesn’t let me."
The reporter further stressed why he was restricted and he replied, "They said it’s too dangerous. No one gets to go out." However, Biden possesses the right to greet people at events even if agents tell him not to.
Notably, Biden has grumbled throughout his presidency about asking for permission from his handlers or bodyguards, even for small duties like fielding inquiries, which led to speculations about the extent to which he controls his administration.
In March 2024, he asked a staffer during a Michigan campaign stop, "Can I take a couple questions?" to which the staffer replied, "Yeah, we’re going to take a few questions."
Similarly, during a task force meeting in March about decreasing the cost of living, Biden drew laughs as he said, "I have a lot of questions. I better not start the questions. I’ll get in trouble."
In May 2021, during an exchange with reporters, Biden said, "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."
A few weeks later, he again said that he’d get "in trouble" if he deviated from a pre-planned list of reporters during a news conference after the three-day G-7 summit in 2021.
Biden says Trump 'didn’t build a damn thing' during Labor Day event
During a Labor Day event in Pittsburgh, Biden hit out at Trump for promising, but not coming through on advancing infrastructure. He said, "He didn’t build a damn thing — nothing!"
He also bragged about building and investments during his administration, including in Pennsylvania, which received $17 billion in infrastructure investments, per NBC News.
He also spent part of the speech ticking through his contributions to labor. He also said, "Wall Street didn’t build America; unions built America and unions built the middle class."
He also defended labor rights and said, "I’ll be on the sidelines. But I’ll do everything I can to help."
Internet trolls Biden as he reveals Secret Service is not 'letting him' engage with crowds
Many internet users trolled Joe Biden as he revealed that his Secret Service protective detail does not allow him to get up, close and personal with audiences at events, despite having the authority to overrule their advice.
A user wrote on X, "You’re just a sock puppet that’s been thrown in the attic, along with the other antiques. You’re done Joe. You’re no longer president.. you more than likely never was", while another added, "Secret service doesn't let him go out because it's too dangerous? How is this man the president of the united states?"
You’re just a sock puppet that’s been thrown in the attic, along with the other antiques.
— Rob Coates 🇺🇸 (@LuckyHippie926) September 3, 2024
You’re done Joe. You’re no longer president.. you more than likely never was.
Secret service doesn't let him go out because it's too dangerous?
— Open Letter (@openletteryt) September 3, 2024
How is this man the president of the united states?😂
A person also stated, "25th Amendment, now. Who is running this country?" whereas one mentioned, "Well, he's not wrong. He may slip up and say something they don't want out."
🤣🤣 well, he's not wrong. He may slip up and say something they don't want out.
— SherOhio (@wells_sher) September 3, 2024
A user also wrote, "I think he thinks he is still running for reelection", while one commented, "He can’t go out into the hell he created!"
I think he thinks he is still running for reelection 👀🤷♀️
— TCrump (@TeresaCrumpler) September 3, 2024
A person also mentioned, "I hear about old dementia people getting lost when their outside, so it's a smart move to stay inside for Biden."
I hear about old dementia people getting lost when their outside, so its a smart move to stay inside for Biden.
— Wallyworld 🇺🇸 (@rustypeter) September 3, 2024
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.