On Thursday, CNN contributor Scott Jennings delivered sharp criticism of Joe Biden’s leadership, focusing on his handling of key issues, including the withdrawal from Afghanistan, the commutation of death row sentences, and his overall accountability.
Jennings’ remarks stirred a heated debate among the panel, exposing deep divides over Biden’s presidency and triggering defensive responses from liberal commentators.
Jan. 2, 2024
Jennings began by condemning Biden’s lack of regret for the deaths of 13 American service members during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. “When he got asked about regrets, the fact that he didn’t say, ‘I regret that 13 American service members lost their lives in Afghanistan,’ to me, that he can’t muster the courage to say that now is a disgrace,” Jennings said.
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He pointed to Biden’s behavior during the dignified transfer ceremony for the fallen soldiers, recalling that Biden checked his watch multiple times and spoke about his late son, Beau Biden, instead of addressing the grieving families’ loss.
Jennings criticized Biden for failing to answer families’ questions or hold anyone accountable for the disastrous withdrawal.
Jennings also highlighted Biden’s recent decision to commute the sentences of several individuals on federal death row. “What’s happened since Election Day? He pardoned his son, Hunter. He commuted the sentences of a bunch of evil killer thugs on federal death row. Not all of them. Just the ones that he wanted to,” Jennings said.
He questioned Biden’s inconsistent stance on the death penalty, arguing that it lacks principle.
Jennings emphasized the perceived contradiction of sparing some individuals while allowing others to face capital punishment, suggesting it undermines any coherent opposition to the death penalty.
Jennings noted Biden’s frequent vacations, claiming the president has spent nearly 40% of his time in office on personal retreats. “This is a failed, disgraced president, and he has never, ever owned up to what happened in Afghanistan and the role that that played in destroying those families’ lives,” Jennings said, adding that the Afghanistan withdrawal irreparably damaged Biden’s presidency.
Jennings’ pointed criticism prompted pushback from other panelists, including Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Solomon Jones, who redirected the conversation to former President Donald Trump. “I think Donald Trump needs to apologize that a million people died in COVID while I was telling people to shine light in their bodies and take disinfectant,” Jones said.
Jennings quickly countered, stating, “That’s false.”
He clarified that a million COVID-19 deaths occurred under Biden’s administration, not Trump’s. Jennings also rejected the claim about Trump’s comments, explaining that Trump was referencing ultraviolet light treatments based on information provided by doctors.
🚨Scott Jennings unloads on Biden’s disastrous presidency: “This is a failed, disgraced president.”
“When he got asked about regrets, the fact that he didn’t say, I regret that 13 American service members lost their lives in Afghanistan, to me, that he can’t muster the courage… pic.twitter.com/UnmCVBDsyv
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) December 27, 2024
Jennings suggested that deflecting to Trump is a common tactic used to distract from Biden’s missteps, but he argued that this approach is wearing thin with the public.
“The real problem here is they can’t justify Biden’s horrific actions,” Jennings said, adding that voters had already rejected such narratives in the 2024 election.
Jennings’ remarks also touched on CNN’s challenges, suggesting the network’s approach to defending Biden while vilifying Trump is contributing to its declining ratings.
While the panel became contentious, Jennings remained steadfast in his critique, reinforcing his reputation as a voice of opposition on the network.
As Biden’s presidency continues to face scrutiny, debates like this highlight the deep divides in public opinion and media coverage surrounding his administration.
For Jennings, Thursday’s panel was another opportunity to challenge the dominant narrative and bring his perspective to a national audience.
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