Reporter posts video chatting with Pete Buttigieg: ‘I guess he didn’t like it’

The reporter released a video of a conversation she had with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg about a train that derailed in Ohio.

Jenny Thayer, a reporter for The Daily Caller News Foundation, posted the video on Twitter with the caption: “I asked Secretary Buttigieg about the crisis in East Palestine and I think he didn’t like it so he took a picture of me. I’m just doing my job, sir.

She asked Buttijig, “What can you say to the people in Ohio, East Palestine who are suffering right now?”

He replied: “Well, I would refer you to about a dozen interviews that I did today, and if you want to start a conversation, be sure to contact the press office.”

Buttigieg told Thayer that he would not talk to her while walking down the street.

He again referred to Thayer’s comments he made during previous interviews.

Buttigieg shared that he had time for personal time.

When asked if he would go to Ohio, Buttigieg replied, “Yes, I will.”

He then asked Thayer, “Can I take a photo?”

Watch the video below:

I asked Buttigieg’s secretary about the crisis in East Palestine, and I think he didn’t like it, so he took a picture of me. I’m just doing my job, sir. @DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/HjKNgF25FJ

— Jenny Taer (@JennieSTaer) February 22, 2023

Twitter users reacted to the video, with Fox News’ Harris Faulkner asking, “Why would Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg want a picture of a member of our FREE PRESS? Is he trying to be funny… or is there something else? Targeting? Journalists are allowed to talk to government officials who are in public.”

Why would Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg want a photo of our FREE PRESS representative? Is he trying to be funny… or is there something else? Targeting? Journalists are allowed to talk to public officials. #politereporter

— HARRISFAULKNER (@HARRISFAULKNER) February 22, 2023

OANN host Addison Smith tweeted: “Infuriating but not surprising government official actively intimidating journalist to her face.”

Infuriating, but not surprising: a government official actively intimidates a journalist right in the face.

Shame on you, @PitButtigieg

— Addison Smith (@AddisonSmithOAN) February 22, 2023

Writer Steve Krakauer wrote: “This is downright bizarre and shows the current administration’s contempt for journalists. Imagine if Elaine Chao had done this during the Trump administration… Let’s see if colleagues in the corporate press speak out on behalf of a reporter doing his job.”

This is completely strange and shows the dismissive attitude of the current administration towards journalists. Imagine if Elaine Chao had done this during the Trump administration…

Let’s see if colleagues in the corporate press speak on behalf of a reporter doing their job.

— Steve Krakauer (@SteveKrak) February 22, 2023

President Joe Biden has also come under fire for his response to the crash, which resulted in a chemical spill.

On Tuesday, the president spoke to Ohio and Pennsylvania officials to express his support.

Biden spoke to them after speaking in Warsaw, Poland.

“I reaffirmed my commitment to making sure they have everything they need,” Biden wrote in an Instagram post.

He explained: “Today, the EPA ordered Norfolk Southern to pay for the cleanup and disposal of hazardous materials. This is common sense. This is their mess. They have to clean it up.”

According to Biden, “The Department of Transportation has made it clear to railroad companies that their model of resisting safety regulations needs to change.”

In addition, Biden argued that the Department of Transportation is “limited by the rail safety measures they can implement. Why? For years, elected officials, including the latest administrator, have limited our ability to implement and enhance rail safety measures.”

Concluding the post, Biden said: “I want affected residents to know that we will support you. And as I have told your governments, they will have all the resources they need.”

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