Biden claims he is “blameless” if the US defaults

News

by Ronnie Reyes

May 21, 2023 | 12:14 p.m

Declaring that he is free of blame if the state defaults, President Biden shifts responsibility to “MAGA Republicans” and claims they derailed negotiations.

Discussing infighting over the debt ceiling during a news conference in Hiroshima, Japan, Biden alleged that far-right Republicans hope to trigger a default and weaken the US economy before his re-election campaign in 2024.

“I’ve done my part,” Biden said of negotiations with Republicans after months of insisting there would be no debt ceiling debate. “It’s time for the other side to move their positions on the team because so much of what has been suggested is quite frankly simply unacceptable.”

When asked by Fox News’ Peter Doocy if the president would be “blameless” if America defaulted, Biden agreed.

“Of course no one would blame me, and I know you wouldn’t,” he joked. You’ll say, ‘Biden did a great job. “

“On the merits, on what I’ve offered, I will be blameless,” Biden added.

However, the president said the politics behind the negotiations meant no one would truly emerge “blameless,” claiming MAGA Republicans would use it to damage his image.

“I think there are some MAGA Republicans in the House who know the damage that can be done to the economy, and because I’m president, and presidents are responsible for everything, Biden takes the blame,” he said. “And that’s the only way to make sure Biden doesn’t get re-elected.”

The potential deterioration of the US economy has plagued so much of Biden’s trip to Japan during the Group of Seven economic summit, that he told a reporter Saturday to “shut up” when pressed on the matter.

Despite the president’s insistence that he will broker a deal between Republicans and Democrats on the debt ceiling, negotiations remain stalled.

Among the stalled negotiations, Republicans have called for further cuts in US budget spending, which Democrats fear will be harmful to Americans.

Meanwhile, the Democrats are calling for higher taxes on the wealthy, which the Republicans oppose.

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy blamed it Bernie Sanders and the Socialist WingThe Democratic Party is for the deadlock — which, he said, will remain until Biden returns from Japan.

Biden and McCarthy have just days to strike a deal to raise the debt ceiling, the government’s borrowing limit. The Treasury has warned that it will run out of money to pay off incurred debt – currently at $31 trillion – on June 1.