Biden declares science 'back' before hot mic moment

U.S. President Joe Biden declared Thursday that "science is back - back in vogue," as he opened a meeting with President's Council of Advisors on Science and Techlogy.

In remarks before discussion got underway, Biden told his council that ir job is to "ask how science and techlogy can expand our possibilities, solve our toughest challenges and make impossible possible."

WIthout mentioning his predecessor by name, president said it's essential that scientific integrity is taken seriously again in White House and is "at center of what we're about as a nation."

As press was escorted out of South Court Auditorium once remarks were wraped, Biden was caught on a hot mic calling a reporter's question on Russia Ukraine conflict "stupid."

Fox News correspondent Jacqui Heinrich shouted multiple times, "Why are you waiting on Putin to make first move, sir?"

Biden was caught on camera responding, "What a stupid question."

exchange comes as White House underscored Thursday that any Russian troop movements across Ukraine’s border would constitute an invasion and that Moscow would “pay a heavy price” for such an action.

IM: AP