Biden slams ‘pain in the neck’ reporter for off-topic question on breaking news

President Biden on Monday called a reporter a “pain in the neck” for flouting his request for questions only about the US ending its combat mission in Iraq — continuing his habit of lashing out at journalists in response to questions he doesn’t like.

NBC News reporter Kelly O’Donnell disobeyed Biden’s request for questions “about Iraq” and asked Biden instead about reports that the Department of Veterans Affairs would require staff to get vaccinated against COVID-19. “You are such a pain in the neck. But I’m going to answer your question because we’ve known each other for so long. It has nothing to do with Iraq,” Biden said, before confirming that the VA would be the first federal agency to compel vaccination.