House Speaker Mike Johnson revealed that President Joe Biden signed an executive order to pause liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports but was unaware of doing so when questioned about it during a meeting.
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.”