Biden Hosts Secretive Meetings with World Leaders at Delaware Home Before Exclusive Quad Summit

At his Delaware estate, President Biden meets privately with three other world leaders who are part of the Quadrilateral Dialogue.

The White House has already released statements acknowledging that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishhida and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have arrived. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also spotted at the White House on Saturday.

The White House Correspondents’ Association has expressed outrage over the meetings taking place in Wilmington, the hometown of the president.

On Saturday night, foreign leaders will be invited to Archmere Academy – the former school of the President.

Officials in the administration have characterized the unusual format of the event and the venue as an act of hospitality. However, media representatives have protested that Biden’s last meeting with world leaders was a private one.

These are relationships that are very important to him. John Kirby, White House national-security spokesman, told the media that he believed personal relationships were important for foreign policy.

The State Department stated in a press briefing that “this is the first time in his presidency that President Biden has hosted foreign leaders at Wilmington, demonstrating both his strong relationship with them and their strategic significance.”

Eugene Daniels, WHCA president and Politico Correspondent said in a press release, “The WHCA is not happy about the lack of access the President of the United States has to these bilateral meetings because of a location selected by the White House.”

Daniels wrote in a letter to the White House, “My understanding is the current administration’s posture is to have the press only watch the leaders driving in, with no cameras or eyes on POTUS at this historic moment.” “I cannot recall a single instance where the president had a bilateral on US soil, and the American public was not allowed to see it.”

He added, “And WHCA’s view is that this shouldn’t happen either. We have discussed different scenarios to ensure that the pool can cover these moments. We understand there are security concerns but it is important for the public at least to hear direct and independent reports of the greetings.

Karine Jean Pierre, White House Press Secretary, said it is “not uncommon” for reporters to be denied access to the President when he meets at home with foreign leaders. She continued by stating how reporters will have the opportunity to see Biden as well as the world leaders after they depart.

This is likely to be Biden’s last summit with foreign leaders after he stepped down from the presidential race earlier this year.