Buttijiga’s ‘press secretary’ refuses to answer questions in front of cameras: ‘A little aggressive’

Asked why it took Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg nearly three weeks to visit East Palestine, Ohio, his spokesman says she’s ready to answer them — just not in front of the cameras.

On Thursday, journalist Savannah Hernandez attempted to ask Buttigieg about the reaction to the crash. However, he did not answer.

Instead, a woman who identified herself as the secretary’s “press secretary” offered to answer questions while she was out of the picture.

“I am glad to talk with you. I don’t want to be on camera,” she said, adding, “I think it’s a bit aggressive.”

She declined to say why she thinks filming is “aggressive.”

Watch the video below:

I asked sec. Buttigieg why it took him almost 3 weeks to come and talk to the people of East Palestine.

His spokesman told me at the time that I was aggressive because I tried to ask questions on camera: pic.twitter.com/bOB52DIq0O

— Savana Hernandez (@sav_says_) February 23, 2023

The moment comes when Buttigieg was in town after the February 3rd train derailment.

While federal agencies worked to address the incident, there were allegations of a slow response from the federal government and questions about whether high-ranking officials would visit the city.

No one wants to be ambushed or cornered by people who stick cameras or phones in their faces to record them – potentially putting their words out of context.

And there is no requirement that a federal agency representative answer every question in front of the camera.

However, this meeting is another example of a reaction to the crash that raises more questions. She did not say that now is not the right time, or that they will answer questions during a separate event. Instead, it was argued that having cameras is “aggressive.”

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) shared the video and wrote, “Most transparent administration.”

The most transparent administration.

— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) February 23, 2023

Meanwhile, Meghan McArdle, a columnist for The Washington Post, tweeted: “Instead of being a stepping stone to the presidency, Pete Buttigieg’s time as Secretary of Transportation is looking more and more like a millstone that will finally drown his ambitions.” to a higher post. ”

Pete Buttigieg’s time as Secretary of Transportation is not a stepping stone to the presidency, but more and more like a millstone that will finally sink his ambitions for a higher office.

— Megan McArdle (@asymmetricinfo) February 23, 2023

Chuck Ross, an investigative reporter for the Washington Free Beacon, tweeted: “It’s not fair for journalists to ask Mayor Pete such direct questions. He deserves at least a couple of hours to think about his answers.”

It’s not fair for journalists to ask Mayor Pete such direct questions. He deserves at least a couple of hours to consider his answers.

— Chuck Ross (@ChuckRossDC) February 23, 2023

This question is to be expected. People were asking when Buttigieg would come to town. So it would seem they should have a ready answer without the hassle.

Asking reporters to turn off their cameras because they are “aggressive” is not proof that officials are trying to hide something, but it certainly could raise questions about the level of transparency.

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