Republicans Demand Accountability After White House Alters Biden’s ‘Garbage’ Comment In Transcript
Republican leaders in Congress are demanding answers after the White House allegedly altered President Joe Biden’s remarks, in which he referred to Trump supporters as “garbage.” GOP lawmakers accuse the White House of issuing a false transcript to soften Biden’s language and allege this could violate federal law.
House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) sent a letter on Wednesday to White House Counsel Edward Siskel, arguing that the administration’s actions appear politically motivated. In the letter, they contend that the White House may have violated the Presidential Records Act of 1978, which governs the accurate documentation of presidential communications.
The controversy centers on Biden’s comments during an event with a Latino voting group, where he responded to a comedian’s joke by labeling Trump supporters as “garbage.” A video recording shows Biden saying, “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters.” However, the official White House transcript modified the language, reading instead, “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporter’s — his — his demonization of Latinos.”
Stefanik and Comer criticized the White House for allegedly “whitewashing” the president’s words, insisting that the American people deserve transparency, especially with the election approaching. “White House staff cannot rewrite the words of the President of the United States to be more politically on message,” they stated.
Journalist Michael Shellenberger raised similar concerns, arguing that the White House’s alterations seemed legally questionable under the Presidential Records Act. Shellenberger stated that the change “makes no sense” given that Biden’s words were captured on video, with the altered transcript casting doubt on the White House’s intentions.
This investigation highlights rising tensions as GOP leaders call for accountability, while the Biden administration faces scrutiny over the accuracy of its public statements. Both sides continue to clash over transparency and adherence to the rule of law.