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In recent times, Joe Biden has been known as the President of few press conferences than his predecessors, especially Ronald Reagan, his predecessor. The press conferences by U.S officials are an integral part of democracy and public service, giving citizens and journalists alike the opportunity to question their leaders and know their stance on vital policies.
Since his inauguration, President Joe Biden has held only one formal solo press conference, breaking the longest number of days any President in recent years has gone without one. This lapse in press conferences has led to confusion among political analysts and journalists who seek to have an insight into his leadership style and the policies his administration is undertaking.
However, the President’s reluctance should not come as a surprise. He was among the fewest candidates to have held a press conference during his bid for presidency, hence raising concerns about his accessibility to the press.
Though presidents are not legally bound to hold press conferences, it is an unwritten rule that sets the order of governance in America. Press conferences help citizens hold their leaders accountable and give feedback on policies that the government is putting in place. In this light, the President’s absence from press conferences has become a point of consternation for most citizens.
While the President’s Press Secretary, Jen Psaki, is responsible for filling in for the President when he declines to hold press conferences, it is considered insufficient by both Democrats and Republicans who prefer to have the President’s stance from the horse’s mouth.
The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly affected the President’s ability to hold press conferences. Restrictions to reduce the spread of the virus limit where and how press conferences are held, making it challenging for the President to interact with journalists physically. Furthermore, the President has been focused on tackling the virus and returning the nation to normalcy, taking up most of his time. This has led to him holding interviews, virtual town halls, and addressing the press from the Oval Office, as opposed to press conferences.
Although the President has not held press conferences, his administration has taken up several policies aimed at improving America while he was in office. For instance, his administration has championed the COVID-19 relief bill, which was signed into law, bringing much-needed relief to millions of Americans. Furthermore, his administration has been able to pass the PIPP, a bill aimed at enhancing the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
However, the vagueness from the President at a press conference has led to speculation regarding his leadership style and opinions on critical policies. When Ronald Reagan was the President, he held an average of 36 press conferences yearly, a figure Joe Biden has yet to reach after eight months in office.
As citizens seek to understand what the President stands for, his administration should extend more invitations to journalists and hold more press conferences. Biden’s administration should know that it possesses the power to dispel rumors and control the narrative through more extended and consistent dialogue.
Moreover, the administration should not be scared to take on the media. It is an integral part of democracy, promoting accountability and transparency in government. The Biden administration should make it a part of its agenda to hold more press conferences and interact with the media, fostering and promoting transparency in governance.
In conclusion, the President’s decline in press conferences has raised questions regarding his leadership style and opinions on crucial policies. Despite the pandemic, the President’s absence at these conferences seems to be a deviation from tradition, making him the President with the fewest press conferences held after Ronald Reagan. The Biden administration would do well to extend invitations to journalists, respond to their queries, and insist on the need to engage more with the media for transparency and accountability reasons in governance.
