Obama Heckled by 'Rogue Reporter' on Immigration Plan During Press Conference (VIDEO)
Correction Appended
President Barack Obama was interrupted more than once Friday during his remarks on his administration's plan to reform current immigration law to allow undocumented aliens to gain temporary status. The unidentified man, seen with a press pass, was referred to as a "rogue reporter" on Twitter by observers shocked to see the president heckled.
Obama delivered his remarks after 2 p.m. EST, about an hour later than originally scheduled, before members of the White House press corp in the Rose Garden.
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As he made his remarks, revealing that some illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. by their parents could gain temporary legal status through work permits, the president responded to a reporter who had apparently asked a question.
"Excuse me, this is not the time to ask questions," said Obama, holding up a finger.
The president continued with his remarks but was again interrupted, presumably by the same man, seen wearing a press pass round his neck.
"Next time I prefer you let me finish my statements before you ask a question. I didn't ask for an argument," Obama said in response to the second interruption by the heckling reporter.
"It is the right thing to do for the American people and here's why," the president added, presumably after being asked by the rogue reporter why the sweeping changes to immigration law were necessary.
It was unclear what exactly the unidentified reporter was asking the president during his immigration speech, but as Obama concluded his statements and walked away from the podium, the "rogue reporter" could be heard yelling: "What about American workers who are unemployed while you import foreigners?"
Those watching the president's remarks expressed curiosity and shock to see the unidentified reporter challenging Obama while he was still speaking live.
CNBC reporter Eamon Javers (@EamonJavers), tweeting in surprise, wrote, "I don't think I've ever seen a president interrupted in the middle of a Rose Garden announcement before. Who was that?"
"Why is #Obama engaging the questioner in a debate?" asked Los Angeles Times reporter Michael Muskal (@latimesmuskal).
Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) of WSB Radio wrote, "Obama now sparring with the guy who was asking a question -- this is really out of order if that guy is a reporter."
According to Myles Miller (@MylesNMiller) of The Daily, the heckler was reporter Neil Munrod of The Daily Caller.
The Huffington Post (@HuffPostHill) political Twitter feed noted, "Jay Carney (Obama's White House Press Secreary) seriously regret credentialing those birds."
Correction: Friday, June 15, 2012:
An article on June 15, 2012 about President Barack Obama's press conference on immigration reform incorrectly identified Myles Miller as a reporter with The Daily Caller.
Mr. Miller is the White House correspondent at The Daily, a newspaper published by Dow Jones and owned by News Corporation. The Daily Caller is a separate and different entity, which he has previously worked for.
