Biden makes surprise appearance at White House briefing to highlight economy and labor deal

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President Joe Biden made an unexpected appearance at a White House press briefing on Thursday to discuss the resolution of a recent port strike and the latest U.S. jobs report. This marks the first time since leaving the 2024 race that Biden has spoken directly to reporters in the briefing room.

Biden emphasized his administration’s role in swiftly ending the strike, crediting staff, labor, and carrier companies for their efforts. “I was determined to avert a crisis at this moment because it’s a critical moment,” the president said.

He went on to highlight the latest jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, noting the addition of 254,000 jobs in September and a drop in the unemployment rate to 4.1%. He described the economy as transitioning from a crisis to being one of the strongest globally but stressed that more work remains. Biden also hinted that Congress may be asked for additional funding to tackle ongoing challenges.

Though Biden's remarks initially focused on the economy, much of the Q&A session with reporters shifted to the tense situation in the Middle East. Biden mentioned ongoing communication with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and urged consideration of alternatives to direct military action against Iran.

As Biden concluded the session, reporters asked if he regretted stepping out of the 2024 race. “I’m back in!” he quipped before leaving the room.