In a recent podcast interview with Bari Weiss for The Free Press, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) shared a concerning anecdote about a meeting with President Biden in early 2024. The incident, previously reported by the Wall Street Journal via anonymous sources, involved a discussion about the President's executive order pausing liquified natural gas (LNG) exports.
Johnson described a protracted effort to secure a meeting with the President amidst pressing national concerns. When the meeting finally occurred, it wasn't as anticipated. Johnson found himself facing not only President Biden but also Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Chuck Schumer, and other officials. He characterized the situation as an "ambush," with the group intensely questioning him about Ukraine funding.
Johnson explained that President Biden eventually requested a private conversation, a request that seemed to unsettle the President's staff. Alone with Biden, Johnson raised the issue of the LNG export pause, expressing his constituents' confusion and highlighting the potential negative impact on U.S. allies and the situation in Ukraine. To Johnson's astonishment, President Biden responded, "I didn’t do that."
Despite Johnson reminding the President of the executive order, Biden continued to deny implementing the pause. Johnson offered to have a copy of the order printed so they could review it together, emphasizing the potential harm to the economy and national security. Johnson left the meeting deeply troubled, questioning who was truly in charge of the country.
This pause on LNG exports has drawn significant criticism from the energy industry and bipartisan lawmakers. A study by the National Association of Manufacturers projected substantial job losses and economic repercussions if the restriction remains in place. However, reports suggest that President-elect Trump intends to prioritize the issue of LNG exports upon taking office.
