Biden left Medal of Honor Ceremony due to COVID-19, White House confirms.

President Biden Walks ‍Out of Medal of Honor Ceremony ‍Due to COVID-19 Concerns

President ‌Joe Biden, 80, made⁢ a ‍surprising move during a Medal of Honor ceremony on Tuesday. The White House explained that he left in the middle ​of ‍the event to minimize the risk of spreading ⁤COVID-19.

“As planned, he ​left during a pause in ​the program to minimize close contact with ‍attendees who were about to participate in a reception,” stated ⁤White House press⁣ secretary Karine Jean-Pierre during a Wednesday briefing. “You all noticed that he left when there was a ‌pause in the program because ⁢he wanted to minimize his impact on⁤ those ​present.”

Biden’s⁢ caution is due to the fact that first lady Jill Biden tested positive for ‌the virus⁢ on Monday. The president himself has tested negative.

However, despite the White⁢ House’s claims of caution, some of Biden’s actions during the ceremony could have increased ⁢the risk of spreading COVID-19. He did not wear a⁢ mask when presenting the medal to honoree Capt. Larry Taylor, standing face to face with the 81-year-old Army veteran. Additionally, he did not wear⁤ a ​mask when leaving the ​room.

Furthermore, during subsequent remarks on Wednesday, the president seemed unconcerned​ about slowing the spread, even⁢ joking ​about forgetting to wear ​his mask upon entering the room.

Many people‍ expressed outrage ​at Biden’s⁢ conduct during the ceremony. As reported by the Washington Free Beacon:

The president ‍faced ⁢backlash for leaving immediately‍ after saluting 81-year-old⁤ former‌ Army captain Larry ‌Taylor, who had displayed immense bravery during the Vietnam War. Taylor had ⁣risked his life to rescue an American patrol group with his helicopter in a 1968 battle. Biden⁣ left ⁣the ceremony before⁢ military chaplain⁢ Brig. Gen. William Green Jr. concluded it with a prayer, according to the New York Post.

“At least he didn’t check his watch this time,” remarked Rep. Wesley Hunt (R., Texas) on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, referring to⁤ a previous ‍incident where Biden looked at his watch during a ceremony for 13 American service members who ⁤died ⁤in a bombing during the chaotic‌ withdrawal from Afghanistan.