Biden Tells Heckling Protester to 'Shush' During Speech in Arizona

President Joe Biden asked a heckling crowd member in Tempe, Arizona, to “shush up” during a speech announcing funding for the McCain National Library on Thursday, September 28.

Footage shows Biden being interrupted by a heckler about five minutes into his speech at the Tempe Center for the Arts.

“Hang on a second, " Biden says, “I’ll be happy to meet with you after I speak, okay?”

The protester continues, shouting “Why have you yet to declare a climate emergency?”

Biden responds: “I’ll tell you what, if you’ll shush up I’ll meet with you immediately after this, okay?”

He then continued his speech, garnering cheers after declaring: “Democracy never is easy… as we just demonstrated.”

Biden was in Arizona to announce a federal grant to the state of Arizona to help build a new McCain National Library at Arizona State University. Credit: White House via Storyful

Video transcript

[APPLAUSE]

JOE BIDEN: But it's not easy. It's not easy.

- [INAUDIBLE], Mr. President.

- No, no.

- --ask why you have yet to declare a climate emergency? Why have you yet to declare a climate emergency? Hundreds of Arizonans have died. Hundreds of Arizonans have died.

JOE BIDEN: Why don't you wait at-- hang on one second. Hang on a second. I'll be happy to meet with you after I speak, OK?

- --you have yet to promise no new drilling on fossil fuels. Why have you yet to declare a climate emergency?

- Not-- not practically, but actually.

- Sit down.

[SHOUTING]

- We need your leadership. We need your leadership.

- [INAUDIBLE] down.

JOE BIDEN: Well, I tell you what. If you shush up, I'll meet with you immediately after this, OK?

[APPLAUSE]

But democracy never is easy, as we just demonstrated.

[LAUGHTER]

The cause-- the cause is worth giving our all for democracy makes all things possible.