The absence of a Marines sentinel outside the West Wing on Monday raised questions about whether President Biden was keeping the schedule publicly set by his advisers.
Why does it matter: One sure way to know if the president is inside the Oval Office is if the marine is at the post, opening the door to the West Wing. A pool reporter questioning whether there was a change in policy received a simpler answer, around 2021: the marine was taking a COVID test.
Receive market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Sign up for free.
-
“The president was in the Oval Office this morning at work, receiving the PDB and all the things you know from the schedule. There was no policy change,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said during the summary diary. .
The background story: Biden’s schedule said he would be at the Oval receiving the Presidential Daily Briefing at 9:45 am. The sentry was absent at that time.
-
Pooler Debra Saunders, White House correspondent for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, told his colleagues off campus at 9:58 am: “There are no Marines outside the front door. … Apparently, the Marines are no longer an indicator that POTUS is in the Oval. “
-
Psaki and other helpers clarified later.
Result: The White House says it is an “improper name” that a Marine must be present when the President is inside the Oval.
Did you like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free.