Biden Tells Troops “Don’t Jump,” Calls Declaration of Independence “Corny,” Doubles Down on Clean Energy as Gas Surges and Border Braces for 8,000/Day

On 3/25/2022, Biden told American troops overseas “don’t jump” as a joke, called the Declaration of Independence “corny,” and stumbled through its words. His administration doubled down on clean energy as the solution to surging gas prices, with an official calling the crisis “a catalyst” to “accelerate progress toward our net-zero emissions future.” The Border Patrol chief was bracing for a “staggering 8,000 apprehensions a day” ahead of the Title 42 decision, and Senator Sullivan detailed how 4,600 drilling applications sat stuck in Washington while Biden claimed to support energy production.

”Don’t Jump” and “Corny”

Biden addressed American troops in Europe. “Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Don’t jump. You guys used to jump. Don’t jump,” Biden said — a confusing aside to service members.

He then attempted to quote the Declaration of Independence. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all women and men are created equal, and endowed by their creator with certain — inalienable rights,” Biden said, stumbling over the words. He then added: “Sounds corny, but it’s the truth of who we are. We’ve never lived up to it, but we’ve never walked away from it.”

Calling America’s founding document “corny” while visiting troops deployed to deter Russian aggression in Europe drew immediate criticism.

Crisis as “Catalyst” for Clean Energy

An administration official framed the energy crisis not as a problem to solve but as an opportunity to exploit. “This crisis also presents an opportunity. It’s a catalyst — a catalyst that will drive the investments we need to double down on our clean energy goals and accelerate progress toward our net-zero emissions future,” the official said.

Biden echoed the message. “The United States and the European Union are going to work together to take concrete measures to reduce dependence on natural gas, period,” Biden said.

An economic official downplayed gas prices. “They’re not as high in real terms as they were earlier in this century,” the official said, adding it was “conceivable that they could move higher.”

When asked how to reconcile climate goals with the energy crisis, the official insisted: “There’s no change. If anything, seeing what’s happening because of our dependence on global markets just emphasizes the importance of making the transition quickly to renewables."

"Sanctions Never Deter” — The Compilation

The video replayed Biden’s declaration that “sanctions never deter” alongside a montage of his own officials saying the opposite:

Psaki: “The president believes that sanctions are intended to deter.”
An official: “The purpose of that is to try to deter, to prevent a war.”
VP Harris: “The purpose of the sanctions has always been and continues to be deterrence.”

8,000 Per Day at the Border

Border Patrol was preparing for a surge. “Chief of Border Patrol says he is bracing for a staggering 8,000 apprehensions a day,” CNN reported. Facilities were already over capacity with 16,000 people that week.

In Carrizo Springs, Texas, officials were blindsided. “What we were told is they got a call in the morning yesterday — start releasing immigrants into the city,” a local official said. “We’re starting from scratch, literally. Here there’s nothing at this point in place.”

4,600 Drilling Applications Stuck in D.C.

Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska provided the most detailed account of how the administration was blocking energy production. “This Assistant Secretary said she has to approve everything,” Sullivan explained. “Right now there are 4,600 of these applications to drill stuck in the headquarters of D.C.”

“When Joe Biden says he’s going to do everything he can to help limit energy prices, this is exactly one of the examples,” Sullivan said. “They should get rid of that memo, that authority right now, and start approving these applications to drill — over 4,000 of them.”

Sullivan described a broader pattern. “In order to get the nod to be a federal regulator, you have to commit to the holy war against energy,” Sullivan said. “Think about the nominees they put forward — for Comptroller of the Currency, for the Fed with Ms. Raskin, the SEC Chairman, even FERC — they are all putting out rules that are anti-energy.”

Key Takeaways

Biden called the Declaration of Independence “corny” while addressing troops in Europe and stumbled through its words.
An official called the energy crisis “a catalyst” to “double down on clean energy goals and accelerate toward net-zero” — not a problem to solve with domestic production.
Border Patrol was bracing for 8,000 apprehensions per day as Title 42 expiration loomed; Texas towns were “starting from scratch” to handle migrant releases.
Senator Sullivan revealed 4,600 drilling applications were stuck in D.C. because an assistant secretary required personal approval of every permit.
The video compiled Biden saying “sanctions never deter” alongside Psaki, Harris, and officials repeatedly saying the opposite.

Transcript Highlights

The following is transcribed from the video audio (unverified — AI-generated from audio).

Don’t jump. You guys used to jump. We hold these truths to be self-evident. Sounds corny, but it’s the truth.
This crisis presents an opportunity. A catalyst to double down on clean energy goals and accelerate toward net-zero.
They’re not as high in real terms as they were earlier this century. It’s conceivable they could move higher.
4,600 applications to drill stuck in D.C. In order to get the nod to be a federal regulator, you have to commit to the holy war against energy.
Chief of Border Patrol is bracing for 8,000 apprehensions a day. We’re starting from scratch, literally.
Sanctions never deter. But: the purpose of the sanctions has always been and continues to be deterrence.

Full transcript: 1297 words transcribed via Whisper AI.