Sec. Buttigieg’s Press Sec. Tells Reporters to Turn off Cameras Because They Are ‘Aggressive’

HERNANDEZ: “Mayor Pete, why did it take you an entire two and a half weeks to actually get here to respond to East Palestine? Will you apologize to the residents of this city for — for the slow response, the government’s slow response? Do you have any apology?”
UNKNOWN FEMALE: “I am his press person, I can help you.”
HERNANDEZ: “Sure. Sure. Sure. Sure.”
UNKNOWN FEMALE: “I am his press person. I don’t want to —“ [crosstalk]
HERNANDEZ: “So, can — can — can we ask why it took him almost three weeks to get here?”
UNKNOWN FEMALE: “Sorry, I don’t want to do this on camera.”
Reporter 1: “What was his personal time off while it was a tragedy happening here?”
UNKNOWN FEMALE: “I’m happy to talk to you guys off camera.”
HERNANDEZ: “And can we also ask you why, you know, he waited until President Donald Trump came here to actually make an appearance? This is a very important question that people across America would like to know.”
UNKNOWN FEMALE: “I’m happy to have a conversation with you. I do not want to be on camera.”
HERNANDEZ: “Well —“
Reporter 2: “I have a question to your request.”
UNKNOWN MALE 1: “Please put your cameras away.”
HERNANDEZ: “I’m sorry, we’re on a public area. So we are allowed as press.”
UNKNOWN MALE: “She’s asked not to be filmed.” [crosstalk]
UNKNOWN FEMALE: “You guys — I would like you guys to turn your cameras off.”
Reporter 1: “You aren’t on my camera.”
UNKNOWN FEMALE: “Well, I’m on a camera, I would like your cameras to be off and then I’m happy to talk to you, guys.”
HERNANDEZ: “Well, if you’re the press secretary of the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, don’t you think you should be able to ask questions from the American public that you serve?”
UNKNOWN FEMALE: “Absolutely. I would like to do it without the camera on, please.”
HERNANDEZ: “Can I ask why?”
UNKNOWN FEMALE: “I think that is a little bit aggressive. That’s why. And I just want you to have —“
HERNANDEZ: “Why is it aggressive?”
UNKNOWN FEMALE: “It — uh, I’m —“
Reporter: “On behalf of the American people I’m just asking why he has not been here until Donald Trump came.”
UNKNOWN MALE 1: “She’s asked them. She’s asked them to turn their cameras off.”
UNKNOWN MALE 2: “Several times for them to turn the cameras off and they will not do it.”
POLICE OFFICER: “OK. Well, then she has been able to walk away. Would you like to go inside?”
UNKNOWN FEMALE: “I do not. I will walk this way.”
Reporter 2: “Can I ask what the secretary is going to do with the picture of Jennie Taer. He took it the other day when he was asked some questions in Washington D.C.?”
UNKNOWN FEMALE: “Hey, guys, like, I’m happy to answer your questions. I would like you guys to not have your cameras on.”
Reporter 2: “I had my camera off a minute ago. If I turn it off will you answer the question?”
UNKNOWN FEMALE: “You all have your cameras on, I can see that, you guys. I’m happy to have this conversation.”
HERNANDEZ: “Alright, y’all. So we are with the press secretary for Pete Buttigieg —“
UNKNOWN FEMALE: “OK. This is not —“ [crosstalk]
HERNANDEZ: “— and right now we are being told —“
Reporter 2: “I have my camera in my pocket. Can you answer to my question.”
HERNANDEZ: “— that we are not supposed to be filming.”
UNKNOWN FEMALE: “Well, they —“ [crosstalk]
HERNANDEZ: “Again, we are here on behalf of the American public, because we would like to have the conversation and we would like to —“
Reporter 2: “Can we step over there?”
HERNANDEZ: “— ask the question as to why —“
UNKNOWN FEMALE: “Let’s walk over here.”
HERNANDEZ: “— again, it took almost three weeks for Buttigieg — Pete Buttigieg — to be here on the ground. He waited until Donald Trump came here to actually be here and speak to residents. The people here have been quite tight knit about when we can ask questions. And again, we’re here on behalf of the American public and we wish we could be able to ask these questions but for some reason, you know, we are not allowed.”