White House officials said Saturday they were caught flat-footed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision not to meet with President Biden when Biden visits the state later today.
Biden had said earlier he would meet with the governor as he tours areas of Florida damaged by Hurricane Idalia, but the DeSantis team contradicted the president.
“In these rural communities, and so soon after impact, the security preparations alone that would go into setting up such a meeting would shut down ongoing recovery efforts,” said DeSantis spokesman Jeremy Redfern.
At a gaggle on Air Force One, reporters asked Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Deanne Criswell and White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre what happened, since the White House had said there was an agreed location for the president’s visit and that security preparations weren’t an issue.
DESANTIS WILL NOT MEET BIDEN ON PRESIDENT’S POST-IDALIA TRIP
President Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk to board Air Force One at…