President Biden makes history by joining the UAW picket line

President Biden on Tuesday joined the picket line in Michigan with union members of the United Auto Worker, encouraging the protesters using a megaphone.

On Tuesday, President Biden joined the picket line in Michigan with United Auto Workers (UAW) union members, using a megaphone to encourage the protesters.

The president urged workers to "stick with it," stating that since the walkout had lasted for 12 days, they deserved a "significant" raise and other benefits.

In addition to shaking hands with protesters, President Biden wrapped his arm around a woman who seemed to be wiping tears from her eyes.

Making such a public intervention on behalf of striking employees as a sitting president is exceptional and unprecedented in contemporary presidential history.

Karine Jean-Pierre, the press secretary for the White House, emphasized on Monday that the administration "is not going to enter negotiations" and that she was unable to confirm whether the White House agreed with the UAW workers' present demand. But on Tuesday, the president spoke out.

After initially agreeing to send interim Labor Secretary Julie Su and senior White House adviser Gene Sperling to assist in negotiations, the Biden administration this week changed its mind and opted to keep the two in Washington. According to Jean-Pierre, Su and Sperling have been in regular contact with all stakeholders for the past few weeks.

Shortly after former President Trump declared he was going to visit Detroit on Wednesday and forego the Republican primary debate in California, President Biden last week revealed he would join the picket line. Trump has claimed that President Biden is only coming because Trump promised to.