Biden Inspects Florida Hurricane Site... DeSantis Says "It's a Hindrance to Relief"

DeSantis Visits Other Regions
Biden "Not Disappointed"

U.S. President Joe Biden visited Florida, a region affected by the typhoon, but was unable to meet with Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. This reflects DeSantis's stance to check Biden ahead of next year's U.S. presidential election.

On the 2nd (local time), President Biden, accompanied by First Lady Jill Biden, visited Live Oak, Florida, to assess the damage and recovery efforts from Hurricane Idalia. Typically, when a U.S. president visits a disaster area, they meet with the state governor to jointly respond to the disaster regardless of party affiliation. However, the meeting between President Biden and Governor DeSantis did not take place. President Biden told reporters on site that he was "not disappointed" about not meeting DeSantis and said, "He may have had other reasons."

On the 2nd (local time), U.S. President Joe Biden visited the typhoon damage site in Florida and is seen talking with Senator Rick Scott.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The day before, President Biden told reporters that he expected to see Governor DeSantis during his Florida visit. Subsequently, DeSantis stated at a press conference that the security measures accompanying the president's visit would cause "significant disruption" to relief efforts, according to reports by AP and other foreign media. Jeremy Redfern, a spokesperson for the governor, also issued a statement saying the governor had no plans to meet the president, arguing that "the security preparations required for such a meeting would halt ongoing relief efforts."

In response, White House officials explained that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as well as state and local governments, coordinated closely to ensure the president's visit would not affect recovery operations, and that when the visit plans were communicated in advance, the governor did not express any concerns.

On the same day, Governor DeSantis visited an area about 80 km south of Live Oak, where President Biden was present. Senator Rick Scott of Florida, also a Republican like DeSantis, welcomed the president and praised the federal government's response efforts.

President Biden told reporters on site about Senator Scott, a former Florida governor, "We don't agree on many things, but I am very pleased and reassured that a famous former governor and senior senator came here to tell you and me how well the federal government has responded."

President Biden told residents, "As I told your governor, if Florida needs anything, I am ready to support it," adding, "The government has your back, and we will be with you until the job is done."

Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida, USA (center), is inspecting Horseshoe Beach, which was swept by the major hurricane 'Idalia,' on the 31st of last month (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

Foreign media noted that Governor DeSantis's attitude toward President Biden has changed since he declared his candidacy for this year's presidential election. President Biden had previously visited Florida during the Surfside apartment collapse in 2021 and Hurricane Ian last year, during which he and Governor DeSantis jointly inspected the sites, showing a 'one team' response.

However, with next year's election approaching, their relationship has shifted to one of mutual competition. Foreign media also highlighted an anecdote involving another Republican presidential candidate, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who warmly welcomed President Barack Obama during his visit to New Jersey to assess damage from Hurricane Sandy in 2012, which led to criticism within the Republican Party. Christie was attacked by other Republican candidates such as former President Trump and Vivek Ramaswamy during this primary for welcoming Obama.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.