Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg made a trip to East Palestine, Ohio, on Thursday — but his press secretary appeared unwilling to make any comments about her boss’ activities as long as cameras were rolling.
Buttigieg’s trip — which comes nearly three weeks to the day from the February 3 derailment that resulted in toxic materials burning and seeping into the ground — was the subject of bipartisan criticism in recent days, as many asked why it was taking so long for the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor to take action.
Press Secretary Kerry Arndt joined the Transportation Secretary on the ground in East Palestine, and despite telling reporters she could help them when Buttigieg outright ignored their queries, she made it clear that she did not actually want to talk to them if they planned to film her.
Turning Point USA reporter Savanah Hernandez approached Buttigieg to ask a few questions, and when he ignored her, Arndt interrupted.
WATCH:
I asked Sec. Buttigieg why it took him almost 3 weeks to come and speak to residents of East Palestine.
His press Secretary then told me I was aggressive for trying to ask questions on camera: pic.twitter.com/bOB52DIq0O
— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) February 23, 2023
“Mayor Pete, why did it take you an entire two-and-a-half weeks to actually get here to respond to East Palestine? Will you apologize to the residents of this city for the slow response?” Hernandez asked, but Buttigieg walked away.
“I’m his press person, I can help you,” Arndt said, and Hernandez then attempted to ask her several questions.
“I don’t want to be on camera please,” Arndt said as Hernandez addressed her, asking why it took three weeks for Buttigieg to travel to the derailment site.
“I’m sorry, I don’t wanna do this on camera,” Arndt said again.
Another journalist asked about a recent confrontation between Buttigieg and The Daily Caller News Foundation’s Jennie Taer — during which the Transportation Secretary claimed to be taking “personal time” and then asked if he could photograph the reporter.
“I’m happy to talk to you guys off camera,” Arndt said again. “I’m happy to have a conversation with you. I do not wanna be on camera.”
“Well if you’re the press secretary of the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, don’t you think you should be able ask [sic] questions of the American public that you serve?” Hernandez pressed.
Arndt was adamant: “Absolutely, I would like to do it without the camera on.”
Arndt then complained that reporters were being “aggressive” when they insisted on keeping the cameras rolling.
The DCNF’s Alexa Schwerha followed up with another question about the exchange with Taer, asking Arndt what Secretary Buttigieg planned to do with the photo he took of her colleague. Arndt continued to stonewall, saying that she’d only answer questions once the cameras were off.
@SecretaryPete took a photo of @JennieSTaer while she was trying to ask a question. Now his team refuses to say why@DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/KCvK37r2uJ
— Alexa Schwerha (@alexaschwerha1) February 23, 2023