House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) are alleging the Biden-Harris White House may have violated the Presidential Records Act by revising President Joe Biden’s controversial “garbage” remarks.
The accusation comes after the White House published the transcript of President Biden’s call with Voto Latino, during which Biden referred to former President Donald Trump supporters as “garbage.”
“The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters,” said President Joe Biden when referring to antecedent comments made about Puerto Rico at President Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally.
However, the White House transcript was written differently, with an added apostrophe to insinuate Biden was referring to Trump supporter’s rhetoric rather than themselves more broadly.
“The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporter’s — his — his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable,” reads the transcript.
According to Representatives Stefanik and Comer, such alteration of Biden’s remark could violate the Presidential Records Act, which prohibit revising the president’s words.
Stefanik and Comer published a letter demanding the White House align the transcript with Biden’s original words.
Biden has alleged his comments did not refer to Trump supporters generally.
“Earlier today I referred to the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico spewed by Trump's supporter at his Madison Square Garden rally as garbage—which is the only word I can think of to describe it,” claimed Biden. “His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable. That's all I meant to say. The comments at that rally don't reflect who we are as a nation."
Biden’s comments come in the closing days of campaign season, where any positive or negative influence could have substantial impact on the nearing election’s outcome.
