House Speaker Mike Johnson didn’t hold back when recounting his unsettling interaction with President Joe Biden—a moment that left him questioning who’s really steering the ship in the White House. During an interview, Johnson shared a story that perfectly encapsulates what he sees as Biden’s growing disconnect from the decisions made under his administration. The topic of debate? Biden’s executive order that effectively paused the approval of new permits to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe—a critical issue for allies and an economic lifeline for states like Louisiana. According to Johnson, Biden’s response was a mix of confusion and denial, leaving the Speaker to wonder if anyone is actually in charge.
The conversation, as Johnson recalled, was as frustrating as it was revealing. When he pressed Biden on why LNG exports were paused, Biden reportedly appeared blindsided, flatly denying any such action. Johnson, citing his constituents and industry leaders, pushed back, reminding Biden that the executive order had been signed just weeks earlier. Even when confronted with the facts, Biden insisted the order was merely a study, not a suspension. Johnson suggested the president have the document printed out so they could read it together—a moment Johnson described as equal parts surreal and alarming.
Johnson walked away from the meeting with more questions than answers. It wasn’t just that Biden had forgotten the details of his own executive order; it was the unsettling realization that the president genuinely seemed unaware of what was happening in his administration. Johnson described the encounter as a wake-up call, wondering aloud who is really calling the shots in the White House. His theory? Biden may have struck a deal with progressive Democrats, handing over key policy reins in exchange for their political support during the primaries. Whether that’s true or not, the implication is clear: someone else is driving the agenda.
This isn’t just a one-off moment, Johnson implied. It’s emblematic of a broader concern about the Biden administration’s lack of coherence and direction. The meeting itself, ostensibly about securing support for Ukraine aid, veered into uncharted territory when Johnson brought up the LNG issue. Instead of clarity, Johnson found confusion, with Biden unable to reconcile the policies being enacted in his name. For Johnson and many conservatives, this exchange underscores fears that the president is more figurehead than leader, rubber-stamping decisions he doesn’t fully understand.
Johnson’s story, which aligns with previous reports from major outlets but now comes with his name attached, paints a troubling picture of dysfunction at the highest level of government. For critics, it’s yet another sign of an administration adrift, guided less by strategy and more by whoever can get the president’s signature on their agenda. Whether this anecdote gains traction or is dismissed as partisan spin, one thing is certain: it raises serious questions about leadership, accountability, and the competence of the current administration.
