Biden to staff: ‘I will fire you on the spot’ for ‘disrespect’ to others
President Joe Biden on Wednesday warned about 1,000 presidential appointees on a video conference that he will fire them “on the spot” if he hears that they have shown “disrespect” to people in their professional conduct.
Biden made the threat as he swore in a large crew of political aides — virtually — who will help him steer the federal bureaucracy.
“I’m not joking when I say this: If you’re ever working with me and I hear you treat another colleague with disrespect or talk down to someone, I promise you, I will fire you on the spot — on the spot. No ifs ands or buts,” Biden told the staffers, talking to a large video screen
“Everybody is entitled to be treated with decency and dignity. That’s been missing in a big way the last four years.”
Biden added, “We’re going to be judged whether or not we restored the integrity and competency this government I need your help badly.”
The former vice pre꧟sident took office around noon at t♐he Capitol.
He told aides: “I’m going to make mistakes. When I make them, I’ll acknowledge them. And I’ll tell you. And I’ll need your help to help me correct them. We’re not going to walk away. We’re going to take responsibility. That’s what we do. That’s what you do.”
Biden spoke to the group from the White House State Dining Room and recounted a conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Biden said that he told Xi that a one-word definition of America was “possibilities.”
“[Xi] said, ‘Can you define America for me?'” Biden said. “I said, ‘Yes’ — and I meant it — ‘and I can do it in one word, one word: possibilities, possibilities. We believe anything is possible if we set our mind to it.'”
Biden told his staff: “You’re my possibilities. You’re the way we’re going to get this done.”
The newly inaugurated president told the staff they had a b💮road mission and listed some of his policy goals.
“You’re going to try to keep us safe and secure from the threats and the unseen, to root out systemic racism,” he said. “We’ve reached a point in my view, where the American people had to sort of have blinders have been taken off. They’ve been taken off and realize they didn’t realize before, just how much systemic racism still exists.”
Biden also vowed, “we can meet up to this existential threat of climate change. I really believe it.”
Before swearing in the appointees, Biden signed three executive orders in the Oval Office, establishing a COVID-19 mask mandate in federal buildings, stating that there should be more racial equality in♒ healthc🐼are and rejoining the Paris Climate Accord.