Former Republican Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee blasted President Joe Biden for not visiting Hawaii following its recent deadly wildfires.
The fires on the state’s multiple islands reportedly killed 106 people as of early Wednesday. Gov. Josh Green (D-HI) said the casualty count could double in the coming days as the state continues its cleanup and rescue efforts.
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On Tuesday, Biden defended his lack of making a trip to Hawaii, saying, “I don’t want to get in the way.”
“The president doesn’t get in the way when he goes to a natural disaster or any kind of disaster,” Huckabee told Hannity. “In the same way that presidents and governors go to the point where people are hurting in mass.”
“You show up for two reasons. One, because you legitimately want to put your arms around those people who are left and hurting, and show on behalf of all of the people that there is genuine concern,” the former governor continued. “And the second reason, when the chief executive shows up, you know who else shows up? Everybody in the press. They keep attention focused on those most in need.”
Huckabee further called Biden’s reasoning for not visiting Hawaii “nonsense” and a “pathetic excuse.”
“He’s been in office long enough to know that that just doesn’t wash,” he added.
Over the weekend, Biden vacationed in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and avoided answering questions regarding his plans for visiting Hawaii, telling reporters during a brief exchange: “No comment.”
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Additionally, the White House has faced numerous questions about the president’s failure to publicly address the wildfires.
“The president first addressed the wildfires in public remarks last Thursday in Salt Lake City,” White House principal deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton said Tuesday morning. “He spoke to this. He put out a statement last week, and he began marshaling a whole-of-government response from day one.”
