Asked if Putin was testing him, Biden said “no.”
President Biden finished speaking about vaccines at 1:58 p.m.
In response to a shouted question about whether he would retaliate against Vladimir Putin for the latest ransomware attack, Biden said “We’re looking closely at that issue.”
Asked if Putin was testing him, Biden said “no.”
The speech was live-streamed, but some flavor below:
Biden urged Americans to get the shot and warned about the toll on the country come fall if the nation doesn’t continue to improve its vaccination rates. “Do it for yourself. Do it to protect those more vulnerable than you,” Biden urged. He reiterated that vaccines are safe and “extremely effective.”
Biden said he doesn’t want to see the already divided country cleave further over the issue of vaccines. “Getting the vaccine is not a partisan act,” Biden said, noting that the production was done under presidents from both parties. “We need to be one America, united, free from fear,” Biden added, a phrase he repeated.
Biden ran through his new initiative leading up to the July 4 holiday. It involves childcare for people so they can get vaccinated; rideshare rides; and a relaunch of his National Vaccination Tour led by Vice President Kamala Harris (who stood silently behind him), as well as the second gentleman and First Lady Jill Biden. The effort will also include business and local government officials.
“Please, do your part,” he concluded.