Biden exhibits no regrets over fist bump with MBS: 'Completely happy to reply a query that issues'

President Joe Biden dismissed his controversial fist bump with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to start out his journey to Saudi Arabia as an inconsequential gesture.

Reporters greeted Biden on the South Garden of the White Home shortly after midnight Sunday morning, marking an finish of his return journey from his first Center East tour as president. One requested Biden whether or not he regretted the fist bump, which drew widespread condemnation, even after the White Home had stated Biden wouldn't shake palms when assembly with leaders within the Center East because of COVID-19 dangers.

"Why do not you guys speak about one thing that issues? I am completely happy to reply a query that issues," Biden stated in reply.

BUMPY RIDE: BIDEN FACES CRITICISM IN AFTERMATH OF MEETING WITH SAUDI LEADERS

Biden drew controversy when he greeted Bin Salman, also referred to as MBS, on Friday with a fist bump that was caught on digicam upon his arrival at Al Salman Palace, in Jeddah. He laughed when a reporter famous he had come "below a number of hearth" for it when taking questions after his assembly with MBS. However even allies knocked him for the gesture. "If ever we wanted a visible reminder of the persevering with grip oil-rich autocrats have on U.S. overseas coverage within the Center East, we bought it right this moment," tweeted Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA). "One fist bump is price a thousand phrases."

Specifically, Biden was below intense scrutiny over whether or not he would press MBS on the 2018 homicide of Jamal Khashoggi, a United States resident and columnist for the Washington Publish, at Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul. A U.S. intelligence report discovered MBS accredited the operation, however Saudi officers have denied MBS had any function within the assassination.

Biden says he confronted the de facto Saudi ruler about Khashoggi throughout their assembly. Nonetheless, Saudi officers declare MBS confronted Biden about abuse of prisoners at Iraq's Abu Ghraib jail by U.S. army personnel and the U.S. response to the killing of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh within the occupied West Financial institution, based on CNN.

Biden responded with a flat "no" when requested upon his return to the White Home whether or not the Saudi overseas minister was telling the reality when he claimed to not have heard the president accuse the crown prince of Khashoggi's homicide. Biden additionally stated he's "hoping" inflation will go down, and when requested if he would honor his marketing campaign pledge to launch all the marijuana inmates in jail, Biden stated he doesn't consider "anybody needs to be in jail for using marijuana."