‘You Want To Make A Speech?’ Biden Cracks Wise With Reporter Pushing For More at Joint Press Conference

President Joe Biden cracked wise with a reporter who pressed him with a follow-up question during a press conference, asking him “You want to make a speech?”

President Biden held a joint press conference with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia Wednesday afternoon in the Rose Garden of the White House with a full complement of U.S. and foreign press.

USA Today White House correspondent Joey Garrison was the first reporter to ask a question of the two leaders and was immediately ribbed by Biden for trying to squeeze in extra questions.

And when Garrison offered a critique of Biden’s answer about the Israel-Hamas war, Biden replied with a mock-testy quip:

JOEY GARRISON: Mr. President, I want to ask about the conflict — the war in the Middle East. Twenty-four U.S. troops have been injured during 10 drone or rocket attacks on bases in Iraq and 3 in Syria over the past week. You’ve told Iran to, quote, “be careful” as your administration tries to prevent the Israeli-Hamas war from expanding into a larger Middle East conflict. But should Americans be worried that the war already is escalating?

And after you answer that question, I’d like one more follow-up, please.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: About one or two more, huh?

JOEY GARRISON: Two or three. (Laughter.)

PRESIDENT BIDEN: Joey, look, we have had troops in the region since 9/11 to go after ISIS and prevent its reasser- — reemergence in — in both — anyway, in the region — having nothing to do with Israel at all.

My warning to the Ayatollah was that if they continue to move against those troops, we will respond, and he should be prepared. It has nothing to do with Israel.

JOEY GARRISON: Well, let me — let me ask my follow-up here. I want to discuss — oh, here we go — yeah, your conversations with Prime Minister Netanyahu, who, obviously, you’ve known for decades, and you had a very emotional trip there last week to Israel. Have you sought assurances from him that he will hold off on a ground invasion into Gaza until the safe relief — release of the hostages can be assured? And, of course, those include 10 unaccounted-for Americans.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: No. What I have indicated to him is that if that’s possible to get these folks out safely, that’s what he should do. It’s their decision, but I did not demand it. I pointed out to him: If it’s real, it should be done.

Thank you.

JOEY GARRISON: But aren’t these hostages in jeopardy if there is a ground invasion?

PRESIDENT BIDEN: You want to make a speech? (Laughter.) Now, look —

JOEY GARRISON: Yes?

PRESIDENT BIDEN: — obviously, they’re in jeopardy. The question is whether or not there’s any way of getting them out. If we can get them out, we should get them out.

Watch above via The White House.