The slow response from the Biden White House to the death of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is giving new meaning to the term “Sleepy Joe.”
Abe, 67, was shockingly assassinated Friday during a campaign event, being shot with a “homemade” double-barrel shotgun in a nation that has some of the strictest gun control laws in the world.
Amy Curtis, a social media user in Milwaukee, tweeted that as of 4:24 a.m., there had been no word from President Biden or the administration on the tragedy.
As of 0424, the @POTUS @PressSec and @WhiteHouse accounts have not said anything about #ShinzoAbe’s assassination.
Absolutely shameful and embarrassing.
— Amy Curtis (@RantyAmyCurtis) July 8, 2022
CNN cited an unnamed spokesperson to later report that the White House is “shocked and saddened to hear about the violent attack against former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.”
“We are closely monitoring the reports and keeping our thoughts with his family and the people of Japan,” the spokesperson said.
Curtis also shared that former President Donald Trump, who shared a friendship with Abe, had long since issued a statement:
Trump did. Hours ago. https://t.co/P5CRRwNkCT
— Amy Curtis (@RantyAmyCurtis) July 8, 2022
“Really BAD NEWS FOR THE WORLD! Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is dead. He was assassinated. His killer was captured and will hopefully be dealt with swiftly and harshly,” Trump wrote.
“Few people know what a great man and leader Shinzo Abe was, but history will teach them and be kind,” he added. “He was a unifier like no other, but above all, he was a man who loved and cherished his magnificent country, Japan. Shinzo Abe will be greatly missed. There will never be another like him!”
Other world leaders issuing responses included outgoing U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who tweeted: “His global leadership through unchartered times will be remembered by many. My thoughts are with his family, friends and the Japanese people.”
Incredibly sad news about Shinzo Abe.
His global leadership through unchartered times will be remembered by many. My thoughts are with his family, friends and the Japanese people.
The UK stands with you at this dark and sad time.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) July 8, 2022
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also responded, calling Abe one of his “dearest friends.”
“He was a towering global statesman, an outstanding leader, and a remarkable administrator. He dedicated his life to make Japan and the world a better place,” Modi tweeted.
I am shocked and saddened beyond words at the tragic demise of one of my dearest friends, Shinzo Abe. He was a towering global statesman, an outstanding leader, and a remarkable administrator. He dedicated his life to make Japan and the world a better place.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2022
As of this writing, there are no tweets from President Biden, the White House or White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Abe’s death. Interestingly, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has posted more than a half dozen tweets since the news broke, but nothing about the former Japanese prime minister.
All of which was summed up thusly:
Nobody bothered to pick up the phone at 3 AM.
— Smatt (@mdrache) July 8, 2022
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