Biden press conference: President stirs controversy on border, China and Trump and vows to run in 2024

President Joe Biden wrapped up his first official news conference as president without taking a question from Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy, in what appeared to be a snub to the network.

Back in the studio after the event, the reaction from the assembled hosts and commentators noted the “nice and polite” tone of questions from the journalists who were called upon, and said that they didn’t press the president in their follow-ups.

Appearing on camera from outside the White House, Mr Doocy held up a “binder full of questions” that he had ready, complaining that most of the topics he had prepared were not covered at the event.

The chyron beneath Mr Doocy read: “Biden snubs Fox News during first news conf.”

Oliver O’Connell reports.

Joe Biden said it was unlikely that US troops would pull out of Afghanistan by the 1 May deadline established by Donald Trump.

Despite the delay, Mr Biden – speaking at his first press conference – said he "can't picture" US troops being in Afghanistan next year.

The White House is apparently considering a six-month extension to the withdrawal deadline.

"We are not staying for a long time. We will leave," Mr Biden said.. "The question is when we leave."

During the press conference, he said that "it's going to be hard to meet the 1 May deadline just in terms of tactical reasons."

Graig Graziosi has more on this angle.

President Joe Biden said he has no intention of seeking conflict with China, but did criticise the country's leader, Xi Jinping.

Mr Biden made the comments during a press conference on Thursday. The president said he was familiar with the Chinese leader from his days as vice president under Barack Obama.

“He doesn’t have a democratic – with a small ‘d’ – bone in his body, but he’s a smart, smart guy,” Mr Biden said.

Mr Biden also compared the Chinese leader to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Graig Graziosi has more from this angle of today’s press conference.

The office of New York City prosecutor Cyrus Vance has approached officials in Chicago as part of its investigation into alleged financial irregularities relating to Trump properties in the city, according to a report.

In late 2020, the Major Economic Crimes Bureau in the New York City District Attorney’s office exchanged emails with Cook County officials regarding records relating to the Trump International Hotel and Tower.

WBEZ Chicago, which obtained the emails through an open records request, reports that they indicate that properties in the city may be included in the criminal investigation into the business dealings of former President Donald Trump.

Oliver O’Connell reports.

New York lawmakers and governor Andrew Cuomo reached an agreement to legalise recreational marijuana, opening the door for a multi-billion dollar industry in the state.

While the legislation was still begin finalised, multiple media outlets report that that “The Cannabis Law” was scheduled to pass next week as part of the state budget due on 1 April.

Check out the key details from this new green deal.

No one expected Biden’s first press conference to be scathing, writes Holly Baxter for Independent Voices.

“And it was never going to be a Trumpian event — that much was for certain. Yet the years of Donald taught us to always stay on our toes, and continuing that habit was worth it today. Because among scripted, expected remarks about building back better, getting great jobs and growing the economy, the new(ish) president managed to get a few well-aimed digs in that made it clear his patience with the GOP is being severely tested.”

Whether they followed along live on Twitter or spared their thoughts for when it wrapped up, former Trump administration figures, MAGA faithful, and stalwarts of right-wing media had something to say about Joe Biden’s first official presidential press conference.

Most called out what they claimed were falsehoods, continued to question the president’s mental acumen and age, and defended their own records, while decrying a media that “would make Chinese state-run outlets blush”.

The initial and more measured reactions came via Fox News, despite being quick to complain that their correspondent Peter Doocy was not called on to ask a question.

Veteran Washington reporter Chris Wallace, host of Fox News Sunday, was first to analyse the president’s performance on air.

Oliver O’Connell has the report.