WH insists Joe Biden 'cares deeply' about US troops after POTUS made false claim that none died on his watch

WASHINGTON, DC: The White House addressed President Joe Biden's debate night blunder of claiming no United States troops had died on his watch during the press briefing on Wednesday, July 3, with press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre sharing how "deeply" the incumbent cared about service members, reported Fox News.

During the closely moderated first presidential debate on June 27, Biden brought up former President Donald Trump's frequent claims that the United States military was better off under the previous administration.

"The truth is, I'm the only president this century, that doesn't have any - this decade - that doesn't have any troops dying anywhere in the world, like he did," claimed the 46th commander-in-chief, seemingly forgetting about the death of 13 US soldiers in Kabul in 2021 when Hamid Karzai International Airport's Abbey Gate was attacked by ISIS-K during the evacuation of Afghanistan.

Republicans were quick to call out the incumbent over his comment, with House Speaker Mike Johnson calling a press conference the following day to set the record straight. He listed out the names of deceased service members, stating, "Mr President, there's 13 examples of troops that were lost under your watch and it's shameful that apparently, you cannot remember them. We do, and we will honor their memory."

Karine Jean-Pierre defends Joe Biden's reverence for the US troops

"The president was making a comparison between how many service members have died under his leadership versus in previous years. That's what the comparison that he was making," Jean-Pierre remarked on the debate night gaffe on Wednesday. "He was doing that because he cares so deeply, cares so deeply about them and their families and wants to keep troops safe."

She acknowledged the death of the service members and noted that Biden had attended the dignified transfer of their remains. However, even the attendance was marred with controversy, as the president was caught apparently checking his watch during the ceremony.

"Let's not forget that for some time, he carried a card in his pocket about how many service members were wounded and killed in Iraq and in Afghanistan," continued Jean-Pierre. "That's how much it was a reminder to him, you know, the times that we live in."

Internet refuses to buy into Joe Biden's defense

Netizens slammed Joe Biden over the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) while responding to the news, as the following tweets demonstrate.

"He cares so much he stared at his watch when the 13 murdered heroes returned from the botched Afghanistan withdrawal," wrote a user.

"He was prepped for a full week for the debate so not only did he forget about the service members being killed, so did whoever prepped him," stated another.

"Isn't it time we demand truth and accountability from those leading our nation?" inquired a user.

"What a joke," jibed one user.

"Just admit he lied," expressed someone else.

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.