White House says Biden not just biding his time until election

The White House on Monday rejected the idea that President Biden has become a ceremonial figurehead who is dawdling as Vice President Kamala Harris tries to defeat former President Donald Trump in November.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby blasted the notion when a reporter, during a media call on foreign events, asked who was running the country.

“President Joe Biden,” Mr. Kirby responded to the reporter. “You know better than that.”

Mr. Biden on Sunday left Santa Barbara County, California, to continue an August vacation at his house in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

While it’s not uncommon for presidents to enjoy late-summer vacations, Mr. Biden is in an odd position because he decided to drop out of the presidential race at the 11th hour and endorsed Ms. Harris. Some Republicans have suggested Mr. Biden, 81, should resign if he is unable to run for a second term.

Mr. Kirby said Mr. Biden remains firmly at the helm, pointing to a call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday and recent talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about military support against the Russian invasion.

“He talked to Prime Minister Modi today, he had calls with leaders in the region in Europe, President Zelenskyy last week,” Mr. Kirby said, scolding the reporter who asked the question. “I mean, c’mon. The president is on vacation but you can never unplug from a job like that, nor does he try to.”