US President Barack Obama has been heckled by a reporter during a press conference about granting work permits to many young illegal immigrants.
Neil Munro of the Daily Caller website interrupted Obama as he was saying some illegal immigrants brought to the US by their parents could gain temporary legal status through work permits.
When Munro was shouting something in the Rose Garden of the White House on Friday, Obama responded him, saying, “Excuse me, sir. It’s not time for questions, sir.”
The reporter asked if Obama would take questions and the US president replied, “Not while I’m speaking.”
After telling the reporter it was not the time to be asking questions, Obama said, “The answer to your question, sir — and the next time I’d prefer you let me finish my statements before you ask that question — this is the right thing to do for the American people.”
“I didn’t… I didn’t ask for an argument. I’m answering your question. It is the right thing to do for the American people, and here’s why… Because these young people are going to make extraordinary contributions and are already making contributions to our society,” he added.
It is rare for journalists to interrupt the president during official statements.