Mike Johnson recounts how Biden did not remember his own EO on natural gas just weeks after he’d signed it

In January 2024, Johnson met with Biden and several of the president’s national security advisors and cabinet officials in the Oval Office to discuss the latest aid package for Ukraine. Johnson also attended the meeting to speak directly with Biden about his decision to pause new permits for exporting American LNG to European allies. When the two spoke one-on-one, it was then revealed that Biden was unaware of the order he had signed.

Johnson recounted the conversation to The Free Press, which was initially reported by The Wall Street Journal based on anonymous sources.

“Can I ask you a question? I cannot answer this from my constituents in Louisiana,” Johnson recalled speaking to Biden. “Sir, why did you pause LNG exports to Europe? Liquefied natural gas is in great demand by our allies. Why would you do that? Cause you understand we just talked about Ukraine, you understand you are fueling Vladimir Putin’s war machine, because they gotta get their gas from him.”

Biden was reportedly stunned and denied signing such an order, responding, “I didn’t do that.” Johnson pressed further, saying, “Mr. President, yes you did. It was an executive order like three weeks ago.” At that point, Johnson suggested that Biden’s secretary print out the executive order to confirm its contents.

Biden then reportedly recalled signing the order but contested that it was merely for a study on the effects of LNG. Johnson, whose home state of Louisiana is a major hub for LNG exports, continued to emphasize what the executive order has done.

“Sir, you paused it, I know. I have the export terminals in my state. I talked to those people in my state, I’ve talked to those people this morning, this is doing massive damage to our economy, national security,” Johnson told Biden.

Johnson explained that during the conversation, he realized Biden was not lying to him but genuinely did not know what he had signed.

“I walked out of that meeting with fear and loathing because I thought, ‘We are in serious trouble—who is running the country?’ Like, I don't know who put the paper in front of him, but he didn’t know,” Johnson explained.