Dad who told Joe Biden 'Let's Go Brandon' on livestream said it was a joke and ...

The dad who told President Joe Biden the infamous conservative catchphrase 'Let's Go Brandon!' during the NORAD Santa Tracker event with First Lady Jill Biden at the White House complex on Friday is attempting to clarify that he was joking.

Jared Schmeck, a 35-year-old former police officer and electric company worker from Oregon, said that he 'meant no disrespect' and is 'not a Trumper' but a 'free-thinker and follower of Jesus Christ.'

'At the end of the day, I have nothing against Mr. Biden, but I am frustrated because I think he can be doing a better job,' Schmeck told the Oregonian. 

Schmeck recorded his end of the conversation and posted it to his YouTube channel. 

The first couple hosted kids and their parents in the South Court Auditorium and talked to people virtually Friday. 

Schmeck, beaming in from Oregon, said 'Merry Christmas' and 'Let's Go Brandon' - code on the right for 'f**k Joe Biden' - after his kids told the president what they wanted from Santa Claus. 

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Reporters in the room said that Biden seemed unphased. 'Let's Go Brandon, I agree,' the president said in response.  

The Oregon father said he calls into the NORAD tracker every year and wasn't aware that the call was going to be livestreamed. 

'I thought it would be automated. We just waited on hold and then they answered,' he said. 'And I thought, 'wow, this is real.' ' 

Schmeck said that it was a 'joke,' but also an expression of his frustration with the president's policies, including vaccine mandates, inflation and supply chain issues. 

He adds that, in addition to social media uproar, he's gotten 'vague but threatening' phone calls since the exchange with the president.  

'And now I am being attacked for utilizing my freedom of speech,' Schmeck said. 'I understand there is a vulgar meaning to 'Lets go Brandon,' but I'm not that simple minded, no matter how I feel about him.'

'He seems likes he's a cordial guy. There's no animosity or anything like that. It was merely just an innocent jest to also express my God-given right to express my frustrations in a joking manner... I love him just like I love any other brother or sister.'

He added that he stands behind what he said 100 percent. 

The clip of the exchange got immediate reaction online, with conservative blogger Erick Erickson commenting: 'Confession: I find it in poor taste to tell the President of the United States 'Let's go Brandon' when the man just wanted to wish you Merry Christmas. Good manners should still matter.' 

The first lady's spokeman Michael LaRosa answered 'Yep.' to Erickson's tweet. 

'I think the let's go Brandon stuff is harmless and funny, but if you tell someone to go f**k themselves when they are being nice to your kid, you're just a d**k. Merry Christmas!' said Tommy Vietor, a former aide to President Barack Obama. 

Earlier, the president made a surprise visit to Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C. Friday, alongside First Lady Jill Biden - marking the first time a president has accompanied the first lady on the traditional holiday trip.

First ladies have been reading stories to the hospital's patients at Christmastime since First Lady Bess Truman held the position. 

The first couple also stopped by a Christmas tree on 17th Street N.W. in D.C. in front of the restaurant Floriana, which was decorated with pictures of the Bidens, including a Jill Biden tree-topper.   

Dr. Biden chose to read the book Olaf's Night Before Christmas, starring the popular Frozen character.  Before the reading, the Bidens spoke to both patients and parents. 

'You're bringing us some joy,' the president said.