On Monday, President Joe Biden traveled to the Hawaiian island of Maui to visit the devastated community of Lahaina after the most deadly wildfire in the last century of American history hit the island nearly two weeks ago.
Upon his arrival, President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were met by Gov. Josh Green (D-HI) on the tarmac alongside other officials.
Biden was met with angry Hawaiians who held up signs reading "You're too late" and "Actions speak louder than words" with many of them arguing that the president should have shown up to the devastated community sooner.
As previously reported by the DC Enquirer, Biden partook in a helicopter tour of the island to survey the damage before venturing to Lahaina to give remarks.
"While Biden flies around in circles above Maui, residents are TRAPPED on closed roads for the next several hours," journalist Nick Sortor reported. "Biden will then be meeting with pre-selected “residents” and will NOT be taking media questions. Go figure. Police are telling me that residents are SUPER frustrated and many are missing work because of the road closures."
Prior to his remarks, Biden was able to meet with various first responders where he was seen joking about the "hot" temperatures of the ground.
Biden eventually made it to the podium where he began his speech recounting the death of his wife and child in 1972 from a car crash. He also joked during the speech when he said that the Maui County mayor looked like a defensive tackle. "You look like you played defensive tackle for, I don't know who, but somebody good," Biden said before thanking him for his leadership and having a minor gaffe by saying "national travedy."
While President Biden finally ventured to the island after nearly two weeks since the blaze began, over 114 Hawaiians have been confirmed dead with hundreds still missing. Biden was forced to visit the people of Lahaina after two weeks of criticism lobbed at the president over failing to adequately respond and instead vacation in Delaware and Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
Notably, he faced criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike following his infamous "no comment" remark in response to the mourning families.
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