WATCH: Biden Caught On Hot Mic After SOTU; “Don’t Repeat This”

President Joe Biden was caught on a hot microphone after delivering his State of the Union address, engaging in a conversation with Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO). The president, perhaps unknowingly broadcasting, made remarks concerning an upcoming meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Biden indicated that he and Prime Minister Netanyahu are poised for a “come to Jesus” meeting regarding the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

During the interaction, Bennet extended congratulations to Biden for his address and encouraged the president to continue applying pressure on Netanyahu regarding escalating humanitarian issues in Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also participated in the brief exchange.

After being alerted, Biden acknowledged, “I’m on a hot mic here,” to which he added, “Good. That’s good.”

WATCH:

The phrase, colloquially understood to mean a moment of truth or a pivotal confrontation, hints at the Biden administration’s growing concern and potential shift in posture towards the situation in the Middle East.

The expression also suggests a possible hardline approach in forthcoming discussions with Netanyahu.

Fox News reported:

Given the camera hovering around President Biden as he spent several minutes talking with various members of Congress after the address, he may have purposefully “accidentally” leaked his frustrations with Netanyahu, as the war in Gaza has become a political sore spot for him. Last month, a report emerged that Biden had privately disparaged Netanyahu over their discussions and his handling of Israel’s war.

Israel’s war on Hamas and the Palestinian death toll in Gaza has triggered intense criticism from pockets of the left, with accusations that Biden is supporting “genocide.” Progressives have organized protest votes against him in recent Democratic primaries in a potential warning sign for his election hopes in swing states.

During his State of the Union address, Biden castigated Hamas over its Oct. 7 attack on Israel and called it a vile terrorist organization, but he also admonished Israel to “protect innocent civilians in Gaza” and not make humanitarian aid a “secondary consideration or a bargaining chip.”

Biden’s motorcade route to the State of the Union was blocked by a large group of pro-Palestine demonstrators while traveling to deliver the State of The Union address. According to footage obtained by on-the-ground reporter Oliya Scootercaster, protesters could be seen sitting down in the street while chanting “ceasefire now.” Others held a large, black banner reading “Ceasefire” while another group held a banner stating that “Joe Biden’s legacy is genocide.”

Others held up signs reading “End the blockade on Gaza” while dressed in black shirts communicating the same message.

The group ultimately put a halt to Biden’s motorcade not far from the Capitol, where he is scheduled to deliver what could be his final State of The Union address at 9 p.m. Eastern Time. It is unclear whether the roadblock will delay the president’s speech.

The conflict has presented a number of headaches for the president, as a significant portion of the progressive base has accused him of enabling genocide for providing the Israeli government with military and humanitarian assistance. In Michigan, more than 100,000 Democrats voted “uncommitted” in order to send a message to the former president.