President Joe Biden expressed frustration on Monday, noting that his Secret Service detail no longer allows him to interact closely with crowds during public events, despite his authority to override their recommendations.
The 81-year-old president, who has often voiced concerns about his handlers’ restrictions, shared this sentiment with reporters after returning from a Labor Day campaign event in Pennsylvania with Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Feels good,” Biden said when asked how it felt to be back on the campaign trail. However, he added, “except I’m not able to go out into crowds anymore, the Secret Service doesn’t let me.”
When pressed on why he was being restricted, Biden replied, “They said it’s too dangerous. No one gets to go out.”
These security measures have reportedly intensified following the near-assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in July. Nonetheless, Biden still has the authority to greet supporters at events if he chooses, even against Secret Service recommendations.
Throughout his presidency, Biden has repeatedly mentioned feeling constrained by his handlers and security staff. This has fueled ongoing speculation about the level of control he maintains over his administration. In March, during a Michigan campaign stop, Biden asked a staffer, “Can I take a couple questions?” before receiving permission to proceed. Similarly, during a task force meeting on lowering the cost of living, he joked, “I have a lot of questions. I better not start the questions. I’ll get in trouble.”
In May 2021, Biden made headlines when he told reporters, “I’m not supposed to be answering all these questions. I’m supposed to leave, but I can’t resist your questions.” Weeks later, during the G-7 summit, he mentioned again that he might get “in trouble” if he strayed from a pre-planned list of reporters during a press conference.
This summer, the White House faced criticism for the efforts made to protect Biden, especially following his debate performance against Trump in June, which raised concerns about his age and cognitive abilities.
On July 21, Biden officially announced that he would not seek a second term, endorsing Vice President Harris as the Democratic nominee. Monday’s appearance in Pittsburgh marked the first time Biden campaigned alongside Harris since dropping out of the race.
Despite stepping down, Biden expressed optimism about the upcoming election in Pennsylvania, telling reporters, “I feel real good about Pennsylvania. I think we’re going to win Pennsylvania.” Harris currently holds a slight lead over Trump in polling from the Keystone State, which is seen as a crucial battleground with its 19 Electoral College votes.