Obama Shuts Down Heckler At White House Pride Reception: "You're In My House"
President Obama gets enough guff from Republicans in Congress—he's not about to take it from a heckler in the White House.
Today during a Pride Month reception, a heckler in the audience attempted to shout over the President. But he wasn't having it.
"You're in my house," a patient Obama said, trying to defuse the situation. "It’s not respectful.”
Eventually, though, as the unidentified stranger continued, and audience members chanted "throw him out," the person was escorted away.
"As a general rule I am just fine with a few hecklers," Obama explained after things returned to normal. "But not when I'm up in the [White] House."
With Vice President Joe Biden patting him on the back, the President teased that someone shouldn't be rude, "if your eating the hors d'oeuvres and drinking the booze."
Oh we agree—we never insult people who give us free liquor.
An earlier report from CBS noted that at least two transgender service members would be in attendance at the event, underscoring the President's view that "Americans who are qualified to serve should be able to do so and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect," according to White House spokesman Josh Earnest.
UPDATE: CNN reports the heckler was Jennicet Gutiérrez, a trans woman and an activist for undocumented LGBT immigrants.