President Joe Biden is calling for a federal investigation into the Surfside, Florida, condominium collapse but does not currently have any plans to visit the area.
“He does believe there should be an investigation,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters at Monday’s press briefing. “Certainly, we want to plan for a constructive role we can play with federal resources in getting to the bottom of it and preventing it from happening in the future.”
SURFSIDE BUILDING OFFICIAL TOLD RESIDENTS BUILDING WAS SAFE IN 2018 DESPITE WARNINGS FROM EXPERTS
Earlier in the briefing, however, Psaki said that in terms of planning a trip to the Miami suburb, the White House “always wants to ensure that we’re not pulling from local resources.”
“We don’t want to draw up resources that are needed in the ongoing search and rescue operation and efforts,” she said. “We will remain in close contact with officials on the ground and certainly, if there’s a trip to preview or announce to all of you, I will do that.”
Biden and the federal government have been coordinating the search and rescue operation with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and more than 50 Federal Emergency Management Administration personnel, including Administrator Deanne Criswell, traveled to the area to assist in the cleanup effort over the weekend.
Psaki also said that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is providing “technical assistance” for debris removal.
As of Monday, the Surfside death count had risen to nine, with roughly 150 people still unaccounted for in the wreckage.
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You can watch Monday’s entire briefing below.
